Kumily (Idukki): A controversy broke out after a differently-abled Congress worker was allegedly pushed off the stage while attempting to take a photograph with senior leader and Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor during a campaign event.

The incident happened around 1:30 pm on Monday in Kumily, where a roadshow was being held in support of Peermade constituency candidate Cyriac Thomas. As Tharoor arrived on stage to address the gathering, Mahesh, a differently-abled Congress worker from Vandiperiyar, along with others, approached the stage.

At this point, Idukki DCC president C.P. Mathew, who was present alongside Tharoor, reportedly stopped Mahesh from getting onto the stage and pushed him down. The move triggered protests from other party workers present at the venue.

Following the backlash, Mathew intervened to defuse the situation and later allowed Mahesh to come on stage and take a photograph with Tharoor.

However, Mahesh later clarified that he had attempted to take a selfie with Tharoor amid the crowd, which led to the intervention. He added that once the crowd thinned, he was given an opportunity to take a photo and said that Mathew did not hurt him in any way.