The leadership of Kerala’s Congress-led ruling UDF on Tuesday night decided to remove Kerala Congress (M)’s vice-chairman PC George as Government Chief Whip as per the demand of KC(M) chairman and tainted Finance Minister KM Mani.
George, KC(M) MlA from Poonjar in Kottayam district, will also lose the right to represent the party in the meetings of the UDF. George said losing the position of the Chief Whip was not a big deal but he threatened to launch a campaign against corruption, indicating that the focus of his campaign would be the corruption of Mani and his associates.
The KC(M) parliamentary party had on March 26 decided to punish George for his repeated statement in public that Mani should have resigned immediately after he was accused of taking Rs1 crore as bribe from the State’s bar owners. The Vigilance has registered a case with regard to this naming Mani as accused. He is also accused of selling Budget proposals.
The top UDF leadership, comprising CM Oommen Chandy, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, both Congress, and Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty of the Muslim league came to the decision to remove George as Chief Whip late Monday night at the end of talks at various levels.