Kerala minister Ganesh Kumar's wife Bindhu Menon alleges cheating; says caught husband in a 'very bad' bedroom scene

The political landscape in Thiruvananthapuram was upended on Monday as Bindhu Menon, the wife of Kerala Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar, levelled explosive allegations of infidelity, phone tracking, and physical intimidation against her husband. Speaking directly to the media following a reported distress call to the police, Menon described a fractured marriage defined by a "bad situation" at the couple's Valakom residence over the past weekend. The revelation has shifted a private domestic dispute into a national scandal, forcing the Kerala Congress (B) leader to defend his public office against a backdrop of mounting calls for his resignation just as the state prepares for its next electoral cycle.

Who is K.B. Ganesh Kumar?

K.B. Ganesh Kumar is a prominent Malayalam film actor and veteran politician currently serving as the Minister for Transport of Kerala. The son of the late R. Balakrishna Pillai, he is the Chairman of the Kerala Congress (B) party and has represented the Pathanapuram constituency as an MLA since 2001. Known for his "clean" administrative image during his first stint as Transport Minister (2001–2003), he has held several high-profile portfolios, including Forest, Sports, and Cinema. He married Bindhu Menon in 2014 following a legally high-profile separation from his first wife, Yamini Thankachy.

Allegations raised by his wife Bindhu Menon

Menon alleges that the minister has been involved with multiple women, leading to their separate living arrangements for several months. She claimed that her husband exercised control over her by tracking her phone and accusing her of affairs with her own friends to isolate her. The dispute reached a breaking point last Saturday when Menon entered the bedroom of their Valakom home and attempted to photograph what she described as a "very bad situation". She alleged that on the minister's orders, his driver, Santhan, forcibly took her mobile phone while another staff member, Pradeep, locked the doors to prevent her from seeking help.

Minister's response to the claims

Ganesh Kumar has categorically dismissed the allegations as "politically motivated" and an attempt to mislead women voters during the election season. Adopting a defiant stance, he stated that "love is not a crime" and claimed that great figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were also targeted for their personal lives. He mocked the reports of a 112 distress call, suggesting that "anyone in high madness" could contact the police. The minister emphasized that his private life should not overshadow his development record as an MLA, even remarking sarcastically that he has "not just one but 5,000 loves".

What is the current political fallout?

The controversy has sparked immediate political repercussions. Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jebi Mather has called on the Chief Minister to remove Kumar from the Cabinet immediately, citing the seriousness of the allegations raised by a spouse. Mather demanded an official investigation and state protection for Bindhu Menon. Additionally, former DGP R. Sreelekha confirmed to the media that she had advised Menon to contact the police immediately during the Valakom incident, adding further weight to Menon's version of the events.

(With PTI inputs)