Alathur: Ramya Haridas, a Dalit woman candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) from Alathur Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala, has accused Left Democratic Front (LDF) convenor A Vijayaraghavan for making a controversial remark. 

Vijayaraghavan on Monday, while referring to Ramya’s meeting with Indian Union Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikutty said, “A woman candidate visited Kunhalikutty after her candidature was announced. I don’t know what will happen to her now.”

Earlier, Kunhalikutty was accused in an “ice cream parlour sex scam”, in which a brothel was being run from an ice cream parlour at Kozhikode with political patronage but was acquitted of all charges. The names of many politicians had cropped up in connection with the scam, which rocked Kerala in the late ’90s.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Ramya lodged a complaint with the Alathur deputy superintendent of police alleging that the "offensive" comments amounted to outraging the modesty of women. 

Senior Congress leaders including former chief minister Oommen Chandy, KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala criticised the alleged anti-woman statement and demanded an apology. While Chennithala and Chandy said the remarks amounted to outraging the modesty of women and insulting the Dalit community, Ramachandran said the CPI(M)-led LDF government should register a case against Vijayaraghavan.

However, Vijayaraghavan, on Tuesday clarified that the media had distorted his remarks and stated that he did not intend to insult or hurt anyone.

He then told the media that he had never intended to tarnish the image of anyone and claimed that it was a political speech and Ramya is like a sister to him. He also added that he is a person who respects women.  If Ramya wins, she would be the first Dalit woman MP from the state.

(With PTI inputs)