A major political controversy has erupted over Public Works Minister G. Sudhakaran's statement that the Aroor by-election was not for “ Putanas ” (demoness) to win.
The Minister was speaking at a meeting at Thycattussery on Friday. His alleged remark was aimed at Shanimol Usman, United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate for the Aroor Assembly by-election.
He said that the opposition was spreading lies and shedding crocodile tears to win the bypoll. “This is not for Putanas to win. People will not vote for them. We need to work hard to win votes,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.
On Saturday, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Mullappally Ramachandran lashed out at the minister and ruling front. “By making such a statement he has insulted the womanhood,” Mr. Ramachandran said.
Ms. Usman said that she was deeply hurt by the remarks.
The Congress filed a complaint before the Election Commission demanding action against the minister. They also staged a hunger strike in front of the Kuthiyathodu village office.
However, Mr. Sudhakaran downplayed the incident and blamed media for the controversy.
Earlier on Thursday, the police registered a case against Ms. Usman and four other Congress workers on charges of disrupting a road repair work.
The Aroor police said they had registered the case under non-bailable sections based on a complaint filed by a PWD assistant executive engineer alleging that Congress workers led by Ms. Usman blocked authorities and workers from carrying out work on the Ezhupunna-Eramalloor road on September 27 night.
The Congress workers prevented the roadwork alleging that it was being carried out in violation of the model code of conduct. However, officials maintained that the work was started before the declaration of the by-election. The Congress termed the case politically motivated.
