Ahead of Kerala Assembly polls, Nair Service Society dissolves Pathanapuram taluk union led by Minister Ganesh Kumar

In a significant development ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, the Nair Service Society (NSS) has dissolved its Pathanapuram taluk union committee in Kollam headed by Transport Minister and Kerala Congress (B) leader K.B. Ganesh Kumar.

Sources in the community organisation said the decision to disband the committee was taken following a petition submitted by a majority of its members. The NSS leadership has also appointed an interim ad hoc committee, chaired by senior member K. Thankappan Pillai, to oversee the day to day affairs of the union.

Mr. Ganesh Kumar has been at loggerheads with the NSS Pathanapuram taluk union for some time over various issues. These include allegations of one-upmanship as well as disputes related to the utilisation of funds for the construction of Padma Café, a restaurant chain of the NSS, under the union.

Earlier last week, 10 out of the 19 members of the union committee had directly met NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair and tendered their resignations. Though two of them later attempted to withdraw their resignations, reportedly under intimidation by the Minister, the move failed after the NSS leadership insisted that members seeking to withdraw their resignations appear in person. Subsequently, NSS registrar Sasidharan Nair dissolved the committee.

Though removed from the post of president of the taluk union, Mr. Ganesh Kumar will continue as a member of the NSS board of directors.

Minister’s stance

Responding to reporters, Mr. Ganesh Kumar alleged that there were political motives behind the move. “My father, R. Balakrishna Pillai, was the one who built the Pathanapuram NSS taluk union, which now holds assets worth ₹300 crore. Some people are trying to take over this asset,” he said.

NSS officials, however, maintained that the decision to dissolve the taluk union committee was taken strictly in accordance with the established procedures. “Despite being given ample time by the NSS leadership to demonstrate his majority within the union, Mr. Ganesh Kumar was unable to do so,” they said.

They also indicated that the community organisation had grown increasingly dissatisfied with the controversies surrounding Mr. Ganesh Kumar in recent months, including the allegations of infidelity raised by his wife. They also pointed to earlier calls demanding to relieve the Minister of his organisational responsibilities, citing a diversion from his religious practice.

Balakrishna Pillai had served as the president of the Pathanapuram taluk union for 64 years, from 1957 until his passing in May 2021. Mr. Ganesh Kumar assumed charge in 2021.