Amidst the uproar over allegations of sexual exploitation in the Malayalam film industry, a woman leader of Kerala Congress has claimed that there is casting couch in her party as well. Ernakulam Congress leader Simi Rosebel John, while speaking to a regional news channel, claimed that a situation like ‘casting couch’ in the film industry is also happening inside the Congress party and women leaders and activists have to face exploitative behavior of male leaders. After these allegations, Kerala Congress expelled Simi from the party.
She said, ‘Women are being exploited in all areas, even in workplaces and politics. Many fellow women of the party have shared their bad experiences with me. I always advise them not to go alone to meet the leaders, take their family members or friends along. I have many such proofs which will come out at the right time.’ Simi Rosebell said that women leaders and workers should be ready to face exploitation to get a chance in Kerala Congress.
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Only those close to the top leaders get a chance in the party
She claimed that if women manage to ‘influence’ male leaders, they can reach the top even without talent and experience. She has made serious allegations against some senior leaders of Kerala Congress and claimed that only those close to those leaders get opportunities in the party. Naming MP JB Mather, SIMI alleged that some members are getting undue respect in the Congress. She said that when Mather was made the All India Secretary of the Youth Congress, and even when she joined the Mahila Congress eight years ago, she remained silent.
Leaders who take action are being mistreated
She said that many women in KPCC face similar issues and the leaders who took action against the accused are also being mistreated. While those who have been accused have the support of top leaders. However, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan dismissed Simi Rosebell John’s allegations as false and fabricated. He said, ‘We have always supported Rosebell… she has held many positions in the Congress.’
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Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President K Sudhakaran said that the party’s women’s wing has filed a complaint against Simi Rosebel. He said that KPCC will investigate the case filed by the women’s wing. At the same time, CPIM targeted the Congress party over Rosebel’s allegations. CPIM State Secretary MV Govindan said that Congress accuses our party of being a powerful group of some leaders who take all the decisions. Now what will Congress want to say on the allegations made by its own woman leader?
Simi Rosebel’s allegations are baseless Are: MV Govindan
MV Govindan said, ‘A woman leader in the Congress itself is saying that there is a power group in that party and women leaders need the support of party leaders to rise in the ranks.’ Congress leader K Sudhakaran said, ‘SIMI has made derogatory comments against the Congress leaders of the state. Their allegations are baseless.’ He hit back at MV Govindan’s statement and said, ‘EP Jayarajan is hiding the problems in the CPIM. He had met Prakash Javadekar for Pinarayi Vijayan. In Thrissur, the CPIM got votes cast in favour of the BJP.’
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)