That is the question uppermost in the minds of not only Congress and KC(M) leaders but also the Opposition Left Democratic Front(LDF).

The KC(M) is learnt to have made it clear to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to publicise the report before 31 May, 2015 – and more important, a report that gives Mani a clean chit. Failure to do so would create serious consequences for the coalition government, the KC(M) leaders are reported to have conveyed to the CM.

The ultimaum has, understandably, deepened the dilemma of the Congress and the UDF Government. The reality is: if the government chargesheets Mani, it is damned. It is damned again if it lets him off the hook.

If the Government gives the greeen signal to go ahead with the chargesheet, then there is a clear possibility of the Government collapsing. In such a denouement, the KC(M) will have no option but to withdraw support to the Government.

On the other hand, if Mani is let off the hook, then there is again ther possibility of the Finance Minister crossing over to the LDF before the elections. The LDF may also be in a position to welcome him on the ground that the Viugilance report has given him a clean chit. This is what the Congress fears will happen. Hence the long delay in finalising the report and handing it over to the court.

As a matter of fact the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau(VACB) can prepare the report and submit it directly to the court.The moot question is: will it do so, given the severe pressure that is being piled on the VACB for a favourable report so that the Government survives.

The latest reports on the issue have it that the Government is trying to save Mani - and thereby the Government - by pressuring the Viugilance Director to show it to the Advocate General and the Legal department and release it with ‘appropriate amendments’.

Reports also say the Vigilance has gathered enough evidence to chargesheet Mani in the case. The most damaging piece of evidence has been the report of the polygraph test conducted on Ambili, driver of Biju Ramesh working president of the Bar Onweners Association(BOA), who was the first to accuse Mani of bribe-taking. The test has validated Ambili’s earlier statement that he had seen Rs 35 lakh being handed over to Mani by the office-bearers of the BOA. This along with the minutes of the BOA meeting in which they admit having collected crores to bribe not only Mani but aslso some Congress ministers, including Excise Minister, K. Babu constitutes clinching evidence against Mani, according to legal experts.

What has angered Mani and his party the most is the failure of the Vigilance department to file an FIR against Excise Minister K. Babu, a close confidant of the CM. They allege that there is ample evidence of his having accepted money from ther bar owners.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) State secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has put relentless pressure on the government with his latest statement that the Vigilance cannot prepare a report without chargesheeting Mani. If it does so, the report will not stand legal scrutiny in the court, asserted Kodiyeri the other day.

In view of these developments, the coming days will be crucial for the Oommen Chandy Government. (IPA Service)