Bengaluru: Kodagu District in-Charge Minister M.R. Seetharam yesterday said that he has recommended and also sought the suspension of T.P. Ramesh from the Congress party.

Speaking to reporters, Seetharam said that Ramesh had brought great embarrassment to him and the party by trying to hold the hand of party MLC Veena Achaiah during the Independence Day function in Madikeri recently.

“The incident has brought great embarrassment to the party. More so to me considering the fact that I was also in the video footage beamed by all media channels. I have recommended the immediate suspension of the man,” he said.

When asked that Ramesh was also the Chairman of the Karnataka Silk Board, Seetharam said the Government will also decide on the Board posting after his suspension from the party.

“First let the man be suspended from the party and then we will take a call on the Board Chairmanship,” said the Minister.

The video of Ramesh, Kodagu District Congress Committee ex-President, holding the hand of party MLC Shantheyanda Veena Achaiah, and the latter trying to free her hand during the Independence Day celebrations on Aug. 15, went viral creating a massive controversy.

In the 10-second video, Veena Achaiah is seen lifting his hand and pushing it away. The video, taken by a local channel, also shows Ramesh trying to hold on to her hand.