UDF meet to decide on Ganesh Kumar issue

A crucial meeting of ruling UDF in Kerala tomorrow will discuss the issue involving state Forests Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, caught in a row over an alleged extra-marital affair, even as the Minister dismissed reports that he had handed over his resignation to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
According to the Congress-led UDF convenor P P Thankachan, the front leaders would discuss the issue tomorrow at the meeting though it was not on the agenda.
It was Government Chief Whip P C George, who first made the allegation against Kumar on March 3, seizing on a newspaper report that 'a minister was beaten up by the husband of a lady with whom he had an affair,' saying he was convinced that the person mentioned in the report was Kumar.

Coming out of the Secretariat after talks with several leaders of the ruling Front, Kumar said "I have not resigned. I will inform you if there is anything and there is nothing to hide on the matter."
Earlier, briefing reporters after a cabinet meeting, Chandy had refused to comment on the issue, saying he would let the media know first if there was anything to be disclosed.
However, Chandy did not deny the report that the minister had handed over his resignation letter to him. Chandy also held talks with leaders of partners in the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, George shot off a fresh letter to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and leaders of UDF partners saying he had convincing proof about his charge against the Minister. The continuance of persons without probity in the ministry would sully the image of UDF, he said in the letter.

Kumar also wrote to the Chief Minister saying George's attempt at "character assassination was heinous" and would destroy the UDF. He charged that George had personal grudge against him.
The actor-politician, belonging to Kerala Congress-B, is also facing problems in the party led by his father R Balakrishna Pillai, who had given a letter to UDF seeking his removal from the ministry for not heeding to party diktats.
The KC-B Chairman's letter would also be discussed at the UDF meeting tomorrow, along with the letters of both Kumar and George, front sources said.