LDF walkout over Ganesh Kumar issue

Image
Press Trust of India Thiruvananthapuram
Last Updated : Mar 19 2013 | 1:30 PM IST
CPI-M led LDF opposition in Kerala today tried to corner ruling UDF by raising the issue of the alleged extra-marital affair of Forest Minister K B Ganesh Kumar in the Assembly and later staged a walkout, dissatisfied with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's reply.
Even before the matter was raised in the House, Chandy made it clear that media reports on the matter were baseless, but admitted that some family issue is involved.
He asked the Opposition to introspect on whether it was right to raise the issue in the house based on such reports, that, too, on family matters.
He denied reports that Kumar's wife had given a complaint to him, seeking action against her husband under the Domestic Violance Act. "She came and talked to me about some grievances. But she did not hand over any complaint", he said.
Chandy also denied reports that Kumar was beaten up by the husband of a woman with whom he allegedly had an affair.
However, an unyielding opposition pointed out that it was not they who had levelled the charge against Kumar, but the government Chief Whip P C George.
They sought to know from Chandy why no action was taken against George for levelling a false charge against the minister.
Seeking notice for an adjournment on the issue, A Pradeepkumar (CPI-M), said the Chief Minister has committed a 'serious mistake' by refusing to accept the complaint from Kumar's wife and asked Chandy to initiate action against George for his false allegation against Kumar.
Based on a newspaper report that a minister was beaten up by the husband of a woman with whom he had an affair, George, a nominee of KC-M, had triggered a row on March 3, saying that the minister involved was Kumar.
Kumar, the actor-politician, belonging to Kerala Congress (B), had denied the allegation and had said that George's statement amounted to character assassination. He also charged George with having a personal grudge against him.
Before the walkout, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said Chandy was not straight forward on the matter.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Mar 19 2013 | 1:30 PM IST

Next Story