Thiruvananthapuram,10 March (HS)
Kerala Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar is expected to meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday (March 10) following serious allegations levelled against him by his wife, Bindu Menon.
The minister is also scheduled to attend the State Cabinet meeting later in the morning, even as the controversy continues to generate intense political debate across Kerala.
Opposition parties have demanded Ganesh Kumar’s resignation, arguing that the allegations raise serious questions about the government’s commitment to women’s safety.
However, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) is believed to be considering its options before taking any further action.
Discussions within the coalition suggest that leaders may wait to see whether a formal police complaint is filed before deciding on the next course of action.
Ganesh Kumar has repeatedly maintained that the issue is a personal family matter. Yet, the situation has gained political significance because the state government has consistently highlighted its commitment to protecting women and ensuring their safety. Political observers are therefore closely watching whether Chief Minister Vijayan will ask the minister to step down in light of the allegations.
Sources indicate that Ganesh Kumar may brief the Chief Minister directly about the circumstances surrounding the controversy during their meeting today. Despite the seriousness of the accusations raised by his wife, no police case has been registered against the minister so far.
Opposition parties have questioned why the police have not taken action despite the allegations. They have also pointed out that the minister’s wife had reportedly informed the Chief Minister’s daughter about the issue earlier, raising further questions about the delay in registering a case.
Meanwhile, a complaint filed by Kerala Students Union (KSU) State Vice-President Yadu Krishnan against the minister has also not seen any follow-up action from the police. Opposition leaders have accused the government of adopting a “soft approach,” and are expected to use the issue as a political weapon against the ruling front.
With Assembly elections approaching, political observers say the government may be under pressure to take a decision that avoids further damage to its image.
Amid the controversy, Ganesh Kumar will attend the Cabinet meeting scheduled at 10 a.m. today. At the same time, protests against the minister are intensifying across the State and particularly in Pathanapuram, his Assembly constituency.
The Youth Congress has announced plans to escalate its agitation, while the Mahila Congress, KSU, Mahila Morcha and Yuva Morcha are organising protest marches to the minister’s residence and office in Pathanapuram demanding his resignation.
A protest march organised by the BJP on Monday ended in minor clashes with police. KSU activists also staged demonstrations by blocking a KSRTC bus and putting up protest banners.
The controversy began after Bindu Menon alleged that she had seen the minister in a compromising situation at a house in Valakom. She further claimed that members of the minister’s personal staff assaulted her when she attempted to take photographs as evidence.
Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
