Kerala Power Minister M M Mani came under fire yesterday for allegedly calling a bureaucrat “mad” and making disparaging remarks about women plantation workers.
Opposition parties attacked Mani, with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress demanding his resignation.
On Saturday evening, the minister first took on Indian Administrative Service officer Sreeram Venkitaraman, who was involved in clearing government land of encroachments in Mani’s home district Idukki.
“In Idukki, most religious establishments are located on land that do not have a clear title deed. He (Venkitaraman) is a mad man and should be sent to Oolampara (mental hospital in Thiruvananthapuram),” said Mani, who has waded into controversies with his remarks in the past as well.
Later, addressing a public meeting in Idukki on Saturday night, Mani, a Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, said he knew what really happened during a strike by ‘Pembulai Orumae’ (Women’s Collective).
“It was a stage-managed protest led by vested interests. I know what all happened. When the strike was on, other activities were taking place in nearby forests,” Mani said.
Angered by Mani’s remarks, women plantation workers’ leader Gomathy said they had launched a protest in Munnar town from yesterday afternoon.
“Who is Mani to speak about us? What does he know about us? We will not end our protest till the minister apologises,” a furious Gomathy said.
The 2015 strike by women plantation workers in Munnar had forced the then Oommen Chandy government to hike their wages.
Congress leader Lathika Subhash said Mani had brought shame on Kerala.
“Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should ask Mani to step down for his abusive words against plantation workers. I know the sufferings of these women,” said Subhash.
Yesterday, former state Congress president V M Sudheeran slammed the minister: “Mani has become a liability for Kerala.”
Communist Party of India leader Prakash Babu also criticised Mani.




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