Thiruvananthapuram, March 10 (NationPress) A new controversy involving Kerala's Transport Minister, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, has escalated into a significant political dilemma for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. This situation has rekindled previous remarks made by Vijayan regarding the necessity of integrity in public service, leading to accusations of hypocrisy from Opposition parties.

The uproar began when Ganesh Kumar's current wife allegedly caught him in an extra-marital affair on Saturday, reportedly prompting her to contact the police helpline for assistance before informing Veena Vijayan, the Chief Minister's daughter.

Veena's spouse, P. A. Mohammed Riyas, serves as the Tourism and Public Works Minister, making him a cabinet colleague of the Transport Minister.

Compounding the controversy, old video clips of Vijayan from 2013 resurfaced. At that time, he was the state secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and had publicly called for Ganesh Kumar's resignation from the Oommen Chandy Cabinet after the minister's then-wife raised concerns about his alleged misconduct.

News channels have been airing those dated remarks alongside comments from the late Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, who was then a prominent leader in the CPI(M). Both figures had insisted that ministers must adhere to the highest standards of personal and public behavior.

In 2013, Ganesh Kumar stepped down from the Chandy ministry following the scandal. The revival of these past statements has placed the current Left Democratic Front government in an awkward position, with critics highlighting a perceived contradiction between previous declarations and the current lack of action.

Additionally, there are claims that despite the minister's wife's request for police help, the officers who responded indicated they could not take action.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front is demanding Ganesh Kumar's immediate resignation, accusing the government of providing protection to the minister.

Opposition leaders have noted that the silence from Vijayan and senior Left leaders contrasts sharply with their previous moral posturing regarding public ethics.

This controversy has gained traction on social media, with users sharing the 2013 video clips and posting a flurry of sharp satire and political memes aimed at the government.

As a state cabinet meeting approaches on Tuesday morning, all eyes are on Vijayan and Ganesh Kumar. The Chief Minister's response—whether to remain silent or address the issue—could decide if this situation turns into a mere social media frenzy or escalates into a serious political crisis.