Kerala Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar Faces Resignation Pressure Amid Allegations by Wife

Thiruvananthapuram: K B Ganesh Kumar is reportedly facing mounting pressure to resign weeks ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections after serious allegations were levelled against him by his estranged wife.

According to local media reports, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan may ask the minister to step down in an effort to contain political fallout and counter attacks from the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The controversy erupted after Bindhu Menon accused the 60-year-old minister of infidelity, claiming she caught him in an inappropriate situation with another woman at their residence. She further alleged that she had informed Veena Vijayan about the incident, placing the state government in an uncomfortable position.

Allegations by the Minister’s Wife

According to Menon, marital problems began a few years after their marriage in 2014 but intensified after Kumar became a minister in 2023.

She alleged that she recently found Kumar with another woman in their bedroom and attempted to photograph the situation. However, she claimed that members of the minister’s staff tried to snatch her phone.

“I lost control emotionally, but I did not assault anyone or use abusive language,” she said, while also accusing the minister of portraying her as mentally unstable.

Menon further claimed that the police declined to intervene in the matter. She clarified that she had no intention of harming Kumar or the LDF government.

Minister Denies Allegations

Responding to the accusations, Kumar said the Opposition was attempting to exploit his personal life for political gain.

“Whether the allegations are true or not, they are personal matters and no one else should interfere,” he said, asserting that he has never behaved indecently with any woman.

“Love is not a crime. Everyone experiences love. It will continue,” he added.

The minister also maintained that he had never been involved in corruption and expressed confidence that the people of his constituency would not believe such accusations.

Past Controversy

This is not the first time Kumar has faced allegations in his personal life. In 2013, he resigned as a minister in the UDF government led by Oommen Chandy after his first wife, Yamini Thankachy, accused him of physical abuse and infidelity.

Thankachy, a doctor by profession, had alleged that Kumar assaulted her and had written to then Chief Minister Chandy seeking action.

At the time, Kumar rejected the allegations, claiming he was being blackmailed and describing the accusations as part of a political conspiracy. He had demanded a detailed investigation by an impartial authority.

Political Profile

Kumar is a five-time MLA representing Pathanapuram and has held the seat for five consecutive terms. He currently serves as the chairperson of Kerala Congress B, a breakaway faction of the Kerala Congress.

The party was founded by his father, R Balakrishna Pillai, who served as a minister, Member of Parliament and MLA during his long political career.

Although the party was once part of the UDF, it is currently aligned with the LDF. Kumar remains the party’s only MLA and also holds a ministerial position in the state government.

Apart from politics, Kumar is also a former Malayalam film actor who has appeared in more than 100 films.

Opposition Demands Answers

The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition. V D Satheesan questioned the government’s response to the allegations.

“If the wife of a minister does not get justice, which woman in Kerala will get it? The Chief Minister has to answer this,” Satheesan said.

He also criticised the government’s claims of prioritising women’s safety, saying, “He claims to be a champion of women’s safety. I remember the moment he sat holding a cup with a slogan supporting women’s safety. Those were just PR exercises.”