Kannur (Kerala) | Senior CPI(M) leader P K Sreemathi on Friday said an apology would not be enough and that she would file a defamation suit against those behind a campaign falsely alleging that she was receiving a family pension in the name of a former legislator.

The controversy erupted after some online news portals, citing purported RTI documents, alleged that Sreemathi was drawing a family pension in the name of P R Krishnan, a former MLA.

However, the family of P R Krishnan clarified on Thursday that the pension beneficiary was his widow, whose name was also P K Sreemathi, and that the allegations against the CPI(M) leader arose as she shared the name of the former legislator's wife.

Krishnan was a Congress leader and a member of the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly between 1954 and 1956.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, the former minister said the false campaign had caused immense personal distress and tarnished her reputation.

"Now, my family members and friends are asking me what the truth is, and I am being forced into a position where I cannot even answer them properly. No family should be subjected to such distress because of false reports," she said.

Sreemathi said she had lodged complaints with Chief Minister V D Satheesan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, the State Police Chief and the Kerala Women's Commission.

"These are only the initial complaints. I have now decided to initiate legal proceedings. My lawyer is preparing a defamation suit to address the severe public humiliation and damage caused to my reputation," she said.

Asked whether the issue would end if the people who raised the allegation apologised, Sreemathi said an apology would not be sufficient.

"There is no question of accepting an apology. In the past, I may have accepted apologies in similar situations, but not this time. A young woman called me and apologised. I told her my decision was final. Whoever made the mistake, legal action should proceed so that no other woman, irrespective of political affiliation, has to undergo such an experience," she said.

Sreemathi said her lawyer would prepare the legal notice, and the defamation suit would be filed before a competent court.

She said leaders across political parties had extended their support after the controversy.

According to her, Assembly Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan telephoned her and said he had asked those responsible to issue a correction immediately.

She also said Congress leader Palode Ravi had called to enquire about the matter.

“Several leaders from different political parties, including the BJP, had expressed surprise and solidarity over the incident,” she added.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan said the allegations against Sreemathi were baseless and that the CPI(M) state committee had decided to initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for spreading the claims.

"There is no need to introduce Comrade P K Sreemathi specially. A member of the CPI(M) Central Committee and national president of the All India Democratic Women's Association, she has been subjected to a false propaganda campaign claiming that she is receiving a family pension in the name of an MLA's wife," he said.

Govindan alleged that a section of the media had deliberately spread falsehoods targeting women leaders of the CPI(M).

"Such lies targeting party leaders, especially women comrades, without any sense of responsibility must be strongly opposed and defeated. The media should examine this issue seriously," he said.

He said the CPI(M) state committee had strongly condemned the false news, calling it a smear campaign against individuals.

"The state committee has decided to initiate legal proceedings regarding the matter. At the same time, the women's movement will come forward with a strong response against such campaigns," Govindan said.

Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan also condemned false allegations against Sreemathi.

In a Facebook post, Vijayan said that Sreemathi has been at the forefront of struggles for the rights of women and marginalised sections in Kerala politics for decades and that the allegations levelled against her were baseless and defamatory.

He urged all those who believe in democratic values to speak out against such "malicious attempts".