Thiruvananthapuram
Actor-turned-politician and Kerala Minister KB Ganesh Kumar, who recently assumed office, appears to be adapting to the distinct dynamics of the Left Government by choosing to remain silent, a departure from his assertive role in the Congress-led UDF. Kumar, 57, took office in late December as part of an agreement within the ruling CPI-M, stipulating that he would replace State Transport Minister Antony Raju after two and a half years (from May 2021). Having been a legislator since 2001, Kumar served as a minister in the Cabinet of Congress leader AK Antony in 2001 but stepped aside for his father after a few years. He returned to the Oommen Chandy Cabinet in 2016 but resigned due to a domestic issue with his then-wife, expressing dissatisfaction with the UDF. Subsequently, he joined the Left Democratic Front along with his father. Known for his direct and assertive approach, Kumar, during his time in the UDF, often challenged Oommen Chandy. However, his entry into the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government was marked by a clash with his predecessor, Raju, over an issue related to E-buses in the state transport department. This clash led to discomfort within the CPI-M, prompting Chief Minister Vijayan and State Secretary MV Govindan to advise him to temper his approach. In a shift on Tuesday, Kumar, adopting a more subdued stance, attributed his silence to the media and declared that he would refrain from making statements. He mentioned that his officials would handle communication with the public. Despite this, he affirmed his position on the E-bus issue, clarifying that decisions would now be managed by officials.
