2 min readThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Mar 26, 2026 06:19 AM IST
A “misogynistic” remark by an IUML leader against CPI(M) candidate U Prathibha on Wednesday sparked a controversy, putting the UDF under fire and sparking the leader’s suspension from the party.
Addressing Congress candidate M Liju’s election convention in Kayamkulam on Tuesday, where Prathibha is the sitting legislator, IUML leader A Irshad said, “As an MLA, she has not been able to do anything. Instead of doing any developmental activities, she is facing the election by relying on empty rhetoric and by projecting her physical appearance”.
After the video of the speech surfaced in the media on Wednesday, several leaders condemned the IUML leader’s derogatory statement, who is also the convener of the UDF election committee for the constituency. Irshad tendered an apology, but the CPI(M) seized on the issue as a poll-time weapon. As protests mounted, the IUML removed Irshad from the party’s primary membership pending a probe.
Breaking down before the media, Prathibha said she was shocked by the insulting comments. It is only to demoralise women in the election fray, she said.
Leading the attack on the UDF, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in his Facebook post that attacking a woman using degrading language reflects a breakdown of political culture.
“They (UDF) have resorted to such character assassination only because they are unable to politically counter the development initiatives and people-centric interventions of Prathibha in that constituency. It has also exposed the hypocrisy of the Opposition and UDF leaders,” he said.
Congress candidate M Liju also expressed regret over the derogatory remark by his campaign convener.
