BJP Distances Itself From Suresh Gopi's Remark, Says Party's View Is Different

Amidst the turmoil of several sexual allegations against prominent actors in the Malayalam film industry,  actor and BJP Union minister Suresh Gopi stated that the issues raised were ‘mere allegations’ and slammed the media for ‘sensationalizing’ it.

The Union minister said these when asked about the controversies leveled against actor and MLA Mukesh while speaking to the media. “Has the court said anything? Are you the court?,” he asked.

Read also: CPM Says No Need For Resignation Amid Series Of Allegations Against Mukesh

“The emerging allegations are just fodder for the media. You can make money out of it. You are bringing down a major institution. You are like people making goats fight and then drinking their blood. The media is misleading the public’s mindset,” said Suresh Gopi.

However, the BJP Kerala State President K Surendran had distanced themselves from Union minister’s remark defending  fellow actor. He clarified that the party’s stance is different from Suresh Gopi’s view. The party demanded the immediate resignation of the actor.

While speaking to the media, K Surendran said that Mukesh should resign from his post voluntarily like Ranjith and actor Siddique. He demanded the chief minister to seek the MLA’s resignation as well.

“The chief minister should seek Mukesh’s resignation as allegations have been levelled against him. Suresh Gopi has his own stance as an actor and a minister. But for us, Mukesh should resign. Didn’t Ranjith and Siddique resign? Mukesh should also resign as well. No conclave involving Mukesh will be held here,” he said.

The state government’s cinema conclave scheduled to be held in Kochi in November has courted controversy because of the presence of actor and MLA M Mukesh in the policy-making committee.

The release of Justice K Hema Committee report concerning sexual harassment and abuse in the Malayalam film industry has opened up many allegations which are increasingly serious.

Actor and Kollam MLA M Mukesh is now facing new set of allegations from junior artist Sandhya. As per her claim, Mukesh misbehaved during his visit to her friend’s house. Sandhya’s friend has also been working as a junior artist in cinema.

Read also: “No Privacy” In Film Academy Internal Complaints Committee, Ex-Staff Alleges

In response to these allegations, members of the Youth Congress and Mahila Congress had organized protests calling for his resignation as a legislator. However, responding to the demands, CPM stated that since there are no legal cases registered against him, he does not have to resign.

The CPM state secretariat said that they have decided to take action as per the High Court’s stance. However, a section of leaders has expressed anger over the party’s decision.