MLA U Prathibha slams misogynistic remark, turns emotional; LDF to escalate row to EC

Kayamkulam (Kerala): A controversy has erupted in Kerala’s Kayamkulam constituency after a UDF leader made derogatory remarks against sitting MLA and LDF candidate U Prathibha ahead of the April 9 polls.

A Irshad, a leader of the Indian Union Muslim League and Kayamkulam UDF convener, alleged during a campaign event that Prathibha was seeking a third term by “selling her eloquence and beauty”. He also accused her of failing to undertake development work and of not utilising MLA funds effectively for the constituency. Irshad urged voters to back UDF candidate M Liju instead.

Prathibha, who won the Kayamkulam Assembly seat in 2016 and 2021, is seeking a third consecutive term.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the remarks, describing them as “misogynistic and insulting” and indicative of a decline in political culture. In a statement, he said targeting a woman public representative with derogatory language amounted to character assassination and reflected an inability to politically counter development work.

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Vijayan further alleged that such comments exposed the opposition’s “hypocrisy”, adding that the attack was not just against an individual but an affront to all women in public life. He warned that attempts to gain electoral advantage through insults rather than debate on governance would not be accepted by the people of Kerala.

Responding to the controversy, Prathibha said she was shocked by the remarks. The party has decided to initiate legal action after informing the Election Commission. She termed the comments “beyond character assassination” and said they reflected a regressive mindset that reduces women to their physical appearance.

“Voters look at the mind and commitment of a candidate, not their body,” she said, asserting that she had dedicated her efforts to the development of Kayamkulam.

Prathibha also became emotional during a press interaction, stating that such statements are intended to discourage women, including students and professionals, from entering public life. She maintained that women would overcome such attitudes and called for dignity in political discourse.

While Irshad has since expressed regret over his remarks, LDF leaders said the apology was insufficient and indicated they would approach the Election Commission, arguing that personal attacks based on appearance violate electoral norms.

Inputs from Agencies