The actor Dileep row saw a new twist on Saturday when an audio clip of actor-turned-MLA KB Ganesh Kumar surfaced in Kerala, days after four actresses resigned from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) over re-induction of Dileep, an accused in the 2017 actress abduction case. The audio clip has actor-turned-MLA KB Ganesh Kumar purported to be criticising politicians and the four actresses.

The Pathanapuram MLA can be heard calling the politicians “limelight hoggers” and the four actresses “perennial trouble-makers”. The audio clip in question is a purported voice message that Ganesh Kumar sent to AMMA office-bearer Idavela Babu after the four actresses resigned from the artiste body.

The audio clip has been released by Mathrubhumi News.

READ | 4 Malayalam actresses quit artistes body AMMA over Dileep row

In the clip, Kumar tells Babu there is no need to be afraid over the news reports and Facebook posts.

“These four actresses have never been active in AMMA, nor in the field of acting. They never participated in the AMMA shows and are perennial trouble makers.

“With regards to politicians, they are interested to give sound bites to TV channels just to stay afloat in public domain.

“You just keep quiet and need not respond. The media is out to create ruckus and the only thing they have is negativity in their news.

“What should be noted is AMMA is not a political body, but formed to look after our welfare and hence the public also need not be unduly concerned,” says Kumar.

Leading Malayalam actresses Rima Kallingal, Remya Nambisan, Geetu Mohandas, along with the alleged victim of the February 2017 kidnapping case, resigned from AMMA on Wednesday.

The kidnapping case dates back to February 2017 in connection with which Dileep had spent 85 days in jail.

The audio clip comes a day after the CPI-M decided not to seek an explanation from Ganesh Kumar for his stand in the controversy surrounding reinstatement of Dileep’s membership in AMMA.

While AMMA had suspended Dileep last year, the association’s new set of office-bearers led by superstar Mohanlal revoked his suspension at the annual general body meeting on 24 June.

(With agency inputs)