AIDWA Moves EC Against UDF Leaders Remarks on U Prathibha

Thiruvananthapuram: The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India over the misogynistic remarks made against U Prathibha, the LDF candidate from Kayamkulam.

The complaint was submitted by AIDWA All India President P K Sreemathi against UDF constituency convenor and Muslim League leader A Irshad. It included video evidence of the remarks made during a UDF election convention.

According to the complaint, the statements were intended to insult the candidate and tarnish her dignity, and are “highly objectionable.” The organisation argued that the remarks constitute a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

AIDWA has demanded that Irshad be barred from participating in election campaigning and that legal action be initiated against him.

The controversy stems from comments made by Irshad at an election convention in Kayamkulam, where he suggested that Prathibha was contesting the election based on her “oratory skills and physical appearance.” The event was attended by senior Congress leaders, including K. C. Venugopal, DCC president B. Babu Prasad, candidate M. Liju, and KPCC General Secretary Johnson Abraham, none of whom publicly objected at the time.

Prathibha has also filed a separate complaint against the remarks.