Chief Minister condemns UDF leader’s comments against LDF candidate U Pratibha, calls it an insult to women in public life as Kayamkulam braces for a triangular electoral contest…reports Asian Lite News
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday strongly condemned the “misogynistic and insulting remarks” made by a United Democratic Front (UDF) leader against Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate and sitting Kayamkulam MLA U Pratibha.
The controversy stems from comments made by UDF convener in Alappuzha and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader A Irshad during an election convention in Kayamkulam on March 24. Irshad alleged that no development work had taken place during Pratibha’s tenure and made a controversial remark suggesting she was seeking re-election based on her “oratory skills and physical appearance” rather than performance.
Reacting sharply, Vijayan said that targeting a woman with derogatory language reflects a serious decline in political culture. He accused right-wing forces of resorting to character assassination as they are unable to politically counter the development work and public interventions undertaken by Pratibha.
Taking to social media, the Chief Minister criticised what he termed the hypocrisy of Opposition leaders. Referring to the slogan “Avalkoppam” (we stand with her), he said those who claim to support women expose their double standards by endorsing or remaining silent on misogynistic attacks.
The term “Avalkoppam” gained prominence in 2017 when the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) used it to express solidarity with a survivor in a high-profile sexual assault case involving a woman actor.
Vijayan further stated that the remarks were not merely an attack on an individual but an insult to all women participating in public life. He asserted that the UDF was mistaken if it believed it could gain electoral advantage by insulting women instead of addressing development issues and public concerns.
Kayamkulam, traditionally considered a Left stronghold, is set for a triangular contest in the upcoming Assembly elections. Pratibha, who won the seat in 2016 and 2021, is seeking a third consecutive term as the LDF candidate. The seat has largely remained with the CPI(M), with C K Sadasivan winning in 2006 and 2011, while the Congress’ M M Hassan secured it in 2001.
For the April 9 elections to the 140-member Kerala Legislative Assembly, the Congress has fielded KPCC Vice President M Liju. The Bharath Dharma Jana Sena (BDJS) candidate Thambi Mettuthara is contesting as part of the NDA alliance from the constituency, which falls under the Alappuzha Lok Sabha seat.
