Kerala transport minister quits over allegation of lewd talk with woman, denies wrongdoing

Kozhikode: Kerala Transport Minister A.K. Saseendran resigned on Sunday following allegations of lewd talk with a woman on phone.

He was heard in an audio having a lewd conversation with a woman on phone.

However, the controversy erupted when it was released by Mangalam TV.

Saseendran, a five-time Nationalist Congress Party legislator, announced his resignation at a hurriedly-called press conference here on Sunday.

He, however, denied any wrongdoing and said, "I always behave with everyone very politely".

"The need of the hour in the wake of this particular news report is not to look into the merits of the case but uphold the morality of my party, government and myself. Hence, I am stepping down.

"I am ready to face any probe by any agency and I have no complaints against anyone," IANS quoted him as saying.

"I did not want to cling on to this post on technical grounds because then the complaint would have come that a fair probe can`t happen. I don`t wish to hear that and hence decided to quit," he added.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he has taken the TV report seriously and appropriate action will be taken.

Saseendran is the second minister to resign since the Left Democratic Front (LDF) took power in Kerala 2016.

Last year, CPI-M strongman and Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan quit on charges of nepotism.