The remark was not intended to attack any person or any candidate: Vijayaraghavan

The implicit offensive statement by LDF convener A Vijaya Raghavan has drawn harsh disapproval from numerous angles, putting left front on defensive mode, against the UDF candidate in Alathur, Ramya Haridas.

Vijayaraghavan made an offensive statement during election convention of LDF candidate held at Ponnani, on Monday. "Women candidate of Alathur constituency had visited Kunhalikutty recently. I don't know what will happen to her now," said Vijayaraghavan while critiquing congress candidates for their regular visit of Muslim League leaders before filing nomination papers.

A complaint was lodged with DSP of Alathur police against Vijayaraghavan's remark, by Ramya Haridas on Tuesday. Ramya had said previously that the comment has flustered her as it was insensitive as she spoke to media persons near Chittur in Palakkad. "I come from an ordinary family. My family members including my mother and father are hurt. I had struggled a lot as a woman from Dalit community to get to where I am now," she said adding that the remarks by Vijayaraghavan has revealed the real face of LDF which states that it stood for woman empowerment and reformation.

"The remark was not intended to attack any person or any candidate, but it was only a part of political speech criticising Congress for surrendering before Muslim League. A section of media quoted the comment out of context and created controversy," Vijayaraghavan said.

Meanwhile, Oommen Chandy said that Vijayaraghavan should be ready to make an apology for his statements against UDF candidate in Alathur, as he strongly criticized his statement. Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala demanded government to file a case against Vijayaraghavan and Shafi Parambil MLA demanded police to charge criminal case against Vijayarghavan. Moreover, KPCC president Mullappalli Ramachandran also demanded unconditional apology from Vijayaraghavan.

However, CPM leader M A Baby said that there is nothing provocative in Vijayaraghavan's statement as he doesn't want to hurt anyone through it. "The statement of Vijayaraghavan was anti-women and it was against the political culture of left parties," said social critic Sunil P Ilayidom.