Photo credit: Facebook//KM Mani

Kerala finance minister KM Mani on Tuesday announced his resignation from the state cabinet. He said that he has sent his resignation letter to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and “will continue to support the Kerala government and the United Democratic Front”, reported the Press Trust of India.

Mani, who is embroiled in a bribery case, had earlier refused to resign and even threatened to withdraw the support of his nine MLAs if forced to leave. Mani leads the Kerala Congress (M), a faction of the Kerala Congress, which is part of the United Democratic Front government that rules the state.

What we know so far:

· In October 2014, the Kerala Hotels and Bar Association had alleged that Mani had asked for a bribe of Rs 5 crore to renew hundreds of bar licenses. On Monday, the Kerala High Court turned down a petition seeking a stay on the investigation against him.

· The UDF had discussed the issue of forcing Mani to step down at a meeting at Chandy's house on Tuesday. Mani and his supporters stayed away from the meeting, while protests against him broke out in Trivandrum. Several Congress leaders have publicly demanded Mani's resignation.