Kerala Minister resigned because he was guilty: BJP

A day after Kerala Transport Minister A. K. Saseendran resigned from his post over obscene audio, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said that the former resignation indicated that he was guilty.

"The Kerala Minister has resigned because I think he is guilty. I think we need to welcome such moves where leaders realise that the public is watching, the media is watching," BJP leader Shaina NC told ANI.

This statement came after Saseendran on Sunday resigned following charges of sexual harassment.

Saseendran resigned after an audio tape of alleged sexual harassment was aired on a regional channel.

"I am resigning on moral grounds. I am making it clear that all allegations charged on me is absolutely baseless. But I am now tendering resignation as it is not right on my path to continue in this position when an investigation is underway. It is up to the Chief Minister and government to investigate the matter and they can investigate with any agency. Also I don't want the government to be on the back foot," Saseendran said.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the matter would be thoroughly probed.

A Malayalam regional channel Mangalam has aired an audio tape of the conservation between Saseendran and a woman who approached him to submit a petition.

In the tape, the minister allegedly speaks with sexual intention to the lady.

The authenticity of the tape is not confirmed yet.