Wife accuses Kerala minister of extramarital affair, withdraws complaint after apology

Kerala Transport Minister and actor KB Ganesh Kumar is facing political heat over allegations of extra-marital affair and physically assaulting his wife. While the Opposition wants the Pinarayi Vijayan government to sack the minister, the actor-turned-politician has denied any wrongdoing. In a twist in the tale, the minister's wife withdrew her complaint later, saying that he had admitted his mistake and apologised.

HOW THE SAGA UNFOLDED

The allegations were first raised by the student wing of the Congress. In a Facebook post, KSU vice president Yadhu Krishnan alleged that the minister’s wife, Bindhu Menon, had recorded proof of an extra-marital affair. The post further alleged that the minister’s personal staff physically assaulted her. However, the post claimed that the police failed to take any action despite filing a complaint.

On Monday, Menon corroborated what had been revealed in the Facebook post while speaking to a local news organisation. Kumar's wife also added that she had been living separately for the past several months because of her spouse's relationship with several women.

"I used to fight with him over several women. Then my phones were tracked and allegations were raised against me for having affairs with my friends. That is how I was controlled," PTI quoted her as saying. She also alleged that Kumar blocked her phone and directed his staff not to speak with her.

MINISTER DEFENDS HIMSELF

In response to the allegations, Kumar chose to keep a distance between his personal and political life. "I am being attacked as elections are approaching. They can’t say that I am incapable or corrupt," he said.

Responding to questions about his alleged several love affairs, Kumar said several people love him, and he loves many people.

"No one should interfere in my personal matters. I am a good public representative and MLA, standing with poor people, free of corruption and communalism. My life is an open book and if you want to know about love, I will explain it later," he added.

He also said that such allegations against him would fetch him more votes in the upcoming elections.

TWIST IN THE TALE

However, less than a day later, Menon reversed course, saying she would not be moving forward with the complaint. She told a news organisation that the minister called her sister and "spoke emotionally."

"He said that it was a mistake on his part. A lot of mistakes have happened in our 13-year-long marriage. However, I never said I was leaving him," she said. "My intention was not to tarnish the image of the government or my husband. We are going to resolve it together," she added.

OPPOSITION SEEKS RESIGNATION

While Menon and Kumar seem to have patched up, the Congress-led Opposition continues to seek the minister's resignation.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph said that it was not a simple family matter that could be settled. "If the minister does not resign, then the chief minister should remove him," the KPCC chief said while speaking to reporters in Delhi.

He said that the LDF government must clear their stand on the issue.

Joseph further said that when similar allegations were made against Kumar when he was in the UDF government, he was forced to resign. "So, it is not just double standards on the part of the government, it is a betrayal of the people," he contended.

Joseph was referring to Kumar's resignation as a minister in 2013 following accusations of ill-treating his first wife, Yamini Thankachi.

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With inputs from PTI