Kerala Transport Minister AK Saseendran has become the second minister from the Pinarayi Vijayan cabinet to quit under unsavoury circumstances, this time over alleged 'dirty talk' with a woman.

The minister resigned after a Malayalam television channel aired what were claimed to be excerpts of a sexually explicit dialogue the minister had with a woman who had sought a personal help.

Announcing his decision to mediapersons in Kozhikode, the minister did not expressly deny the charge, but said he has always tried to observe decorum while discharging his official responsibilities.

Saseendran also said that he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and was putting in his papers in the 'highest traditions of value-based politics.'

He did not want the state government to suffer as a result of the charge of misconduct with the woman as reported by the television channel. He said he did not do any wrong, and said he was ready for any probe into the matter in order to clear his credentials.

Earlier this year, EP Jayarajan, Industries Minister and widely considered Pinarayi Vijayan's closest confidante from Kannur district, had resigned on charges of nepotism.

Meanwhile, the state committee of the CPI(M) which is meeting here concurrently, has reportedly taken grave exception to the latest crisis in the Pinarayi ministry.

The party-led state government has come in for trenchant criticism for what are reportedly 'acts of omission and commission' during the its first eight months of its rule in the state.