Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 04: Climaxing two months of
controversy triggered by the sexual harassment charge against
him, Muslim League leader and Kerala Industries Minister P K
Kunhalikutty today resigned from the Congress-led UDF Ministry
headed by Oommen Chandy.
Two days after his party leadership cleared his request to
quit, Kunhalikutty sent his resignation to Chandy who
immediately forwarded it to Governor R L Bhatia.
Kunhalikutty's confidant V K Ibrahim Kunjnu will be sworn
in as Minister on Thursday and is expected to retain the key
portfolios of industry and I T held by his outgoing mentor.
A power Centre in the Muslim League, Kunhalikutty had been
in the eye of storm ever since a victim in the 'ice cream'
sex scandal case alleged that she had been sexually exploited
by the minister eight years back.
Though the woman, Rejina, had off and on changed her
statements, her October 28 claim unleashed a powerful
agitation with opposition parties and women outfits coming
out on the streets demanding Kunhalikutty's resignation.
The Oommen Chandy government had often found itself in a
corner on the issue as even sections in the congress in
the state came out against Kunhalikutty's continuance as
Minister.
Kunhalikutty, who has persistently held that the charge
against him was part of a vilification campaign, said he would
devote his time and energy to strengthening the party.
Kunhalikutty sent his letter to the Chief Minister
through a messenger, sources said.
Bureau Report
