Thiruvananthapuram: An alleged objectionable remark by LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan against Dalit woman candidate Ramya Haridas of the opposition UDF, has landed the left ruling front in a fix in Kerala, with the April 23 Lok Sabha polls just around the corner.
Vijayaraghavan had made the remarks after a meeting between Ramya, a Congress leader who is contesting from Alathur constituency, and IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty. His remarks has triggered widespread outrage on social media.
Senior Congress leaders including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandhy, KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has come out against the alleged anti-woman statement and demanded an apology.
While Chennithala and Chandy said the remarks amounted to outrage the modesty of women and insulting the Dalit community, Ramachandran said the CPI(M)-led LDF government should register a case against Vijayaraghavan.
Expressing pain over the alleged remarks, Ramya, contesting against CPI(M)’s two-time sitting MP, PK Biju, said she would lodge a complaint with the police against the Left leader in this regard.
“It has caused mental agony for me… he (Vijayaraghavan) should have thought that I also have a family. Character assassination cannot be accepted,” she told reporters in Alathur, a reserved constituency in north Kerala.
However, Vijayaraghavan clarified Tuesday that his remarks against Ramya were distorted by the media and he did not intend to insult or hurt anyone.
“I have never intended to tarnish the image of anyone. It was a political speech… Ramya is like a sister to me.. I am a person who respects women,” he told reporters when his reaction was sought here.
Thirty two year-old Ramya, if she wins would be the first Dalit woman MP from the state.
PTI