Tuesday, January 4 2005 21:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, who is facing sexual harassment allegation, today (Jan 4, 2005) quit the UDF (United Democratic Front) Cabinet by sending his resignation to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

The Chief Minister forwarded the Muslim League leader's resignation from the Ministry to Governor R L Bhatia, sources in the Chief Minister's office said.

Sources said the Governor accepted Kunhalikutty's resignation.

Kunhalikutty sent his letter to the Chief Minister through a messenger, sources said.

IUML (Indian Union Muslim League) MLA from Mattanchery, V K Ibrahim Kunju, is slated to be sworn in as Minister on Thursday (Jan 6, 2005) in place of Kunhalikutty.

Faced with a fierce agitation over the last two months, Kunhalikutty had on December 28 handed over his resignation to IUML supremo Panakkad Syed Muhammadali Shihab Thangal. The League working committee on Jan 2 approved Kunhalikutty' decision and named Ibrahim Kunju as Minister in his place.

The party also wanted Ibrahim Kunju to be given the key portfolios of Industry, IT and Social Welfare held by Kunhalikutty.

A power centre in the Muslim League, Kunhalikutty's trouble began after a victim in the Kozhikode ice cream parlour case o October 28 alleged that she had been sexually exploited by the Minister eight years back.

The Opposition parties and various women outfits had launched an agitation demanding the resignation of Kunhalikutty.

The issue had haunted the Oommen Chandy Government shortly on assuming office four months back, casting a deep shadow on programmes launched by the Chief Minister to revitalise the UDF coalition battered by the severe drubbing it received in the Lok Sabha polls.

Countering the attack against him, Kunhalikutty had held that he had been the victim of a vilification campaign and he would devote his time and energy for strengthening the party.