Father's aides shows son black flag

The tussle between Forest Minister K G Ganeshkumar and his father, Kerala Congress (B) chairman K Balakrishna Pillai, has drawn the United Democratic Front in Kerala into mire. 

On Thursday, Ganeshkumar was shown a black flag at a function in Kollam. Shaju Rahammath, a Pillai loyalist and Kerala Congress (B) state committee member, has been arrested.

Pillai has announced that party workers will wave black flags at Ganeshkumar, the party’s only minister.  Meanwhile, a local KC (B) leader, who is also a confidante of Pillai, was arrested for allegedly posing as Ganeshkumar’s personal secretary to collect money from a Railway contractor. Ganeshkumar’s personal secretary lodged a complain against the impostor, following which he was arrested.

Pillai then went to the Pathanapuram police station where the local leader was lodged and demanded his release. As he was turned down, Pillai staged a dharna at the police station. As the news spread, supporters of both leaders assembled in front of the police station and a skirmish ensued.

Finally, police released the man. While Pillai was coming out of the police station with his aide, he was greeted by slogans from the Ganeshkumar camp. On the spot, Pillai directed his followers to wave black flags at Ganeshkumar at his functions.

Pillai, who was a minister for several terms, could not contest the last election to state Assembly since he was convicted by the Supreme Court in a corruption case. According to sources, Pillai now wants his son to step down as MLA so that he can contest again.
Ganeshkuamr is the only MLA from the party at present. Pillai was not inducted into the previous UDF ministry owing to some legal issues.