Relief for Ganesh Kumar; forensic report clears forgery claims
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Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar, R. Balakrishna Pillai.
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Transport Minister and actor-turned-politician K.B. Ganesh Kumar has received a major relief following a forensic report that confirmed the signature on his late father R. Balakrishna Pillai’s will was genuine, countering allegations from his sister, Usha Mohandas, who had claimed it was forged.
The forensic examination concluded that the signature of the iconic politician, who served as an MLA, MP, and State Minister, was authentic. Pillai, a towering figure in Kerala politics, passed away in 2021.
Usha Mohandas’ accusations of forgery had thrown Ganesh Kumar’s political career into turmoil, as she alleged he had manipulated their father’s signature to gain control over a significant portion of the family assets. These allegations sparked public outcry and political backlash, with the issue reaching Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Despite winning a record fifth term in the Pathanapuram constituency in 2021, the controversy delayed Ganesh Kumar’s induction into the cabinet. His inclusion in the cabinet was postponed until 2023 when the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) conducted a mid-term reshuffle, appointing him as the State Minister for Transport.
Throughout the controversy, Ganesh Kumar consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that he did not know about the alleged forgery. A witness also supported his claims, stating that he had no involvement in the matter.
R. Balakrishna Pillai, who founded the Kerala Congress (B), had a complicated relationship with his son. Ganesh Kumar’s political journey began in 2001, but his rise to prominence was marred by a strained relationship with his father, who was passed over for a ministerial position in A.K. Antony’s cabinet in favor of Ganesh Kumar. Pillai retired from active politics after losing the 2006 assembly elections.
Ganesh Kumar’s political career has had its share of challenges, including a resignation from the cabinet in 2011 amid personal controversies and a shift in allegiance from the Congress-led UDF to the CPI(M)-led Left Front in 2016.
With the forensic report clearing his name, Ganesh Kumar is poised for a political resurgence as Kerala looks toward the next assembly elections in 2026.
With IANS inputs