From rxpgnews.com
Kerala to seek legal opinion on minister's remarks
By IANS,
Apr 3, 2007 - 9:44:11 PM
Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 - The Kerala government Tuesday decided to seek legal opinion on Local Self Government Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty's controversial remarks about the judiciary earlier this year even as the opposition demanded his resignation.
'All moral issues with regards to Kutty continuing as minister after the statement of the court would be looked into when we seek legal opinion,' Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan told reporters here after a cabinet meeting.
Kutty, on his part, said his party would take a decision in this regard.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist - top brass is to meet in the coming days to take a final decision.
Kutty, in a speech in Kozhikode Jan 30, had said verdicts these days were decided on the basis of the 'thickness of currency notes'. He had later apologised for the remarks but the Kerala High Court refused to accept the apology.
Stating that Kutty's speech had seriously affected the prestige of the court, a division bench Monday posted the case for further hearing April 11.
'He should instead apologise to the people. If he does that, then may be we can consider it when we declare the punishment. He is no ordinary citizen, instead he is a responsible minister,' it said.
The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan and Justice M.N. Krishnan had taken suo motu cognisance of the statement and taken up contempt proceedings against the minister.
Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy, state Congress chief Ramesh Chennithala and Bharatiya Janata Party - state president P.K. Krishnadas have demanded Kutty's resignation with immediate effect.
'There is no more point in waiting for the final verdict, he should resign immediately,' said Chandy.
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