Former MP calls Rahul 'unmarried troublemaker', courts dispute over Kerala

Former MP calls Rahul 'unmarried troublemaker', courts dispute over Kerala

Former MP calls Rahul 'unmarried troublemaker', courts dispute over Kerala

Idukki (Kerala) : As the election campaign rallied in Kerala reached a critical juncture, former MP Joyce George sparked controversy by making derogatory remarks about Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the students' contact at a women's college in Kochi last week.

George, who was successful when the CPI (M) backed the independents during the 2014 parliamentary elections in Idukki, made opposition speeches against the Nehru faction while addressing an election rally in Irattayar here on Monday.

To distance himself from these views, Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the LDF stand was not an attack on Gandhi himself.

"We will oppose him politically and not personally," Vijayan told reporters in Kasaragod on Tuesday.

Attacking the UDF led by the opposition Congress and Rahul Gandhi in particular, George said Gandhi would only visit women's colleges and girls should be "vigilant" while working with the President of Congress.

"Girls never kneel in front of him. He's a single issue," she said.

Former MP calls Rahul 'unmarried troublemaker', courts dispute over Kerala

The remarks of the former independent MP came a few days after Gandhi gave Aikido a course at the prestigious St Teresa College in Kochi based on a student request.

The Congress leader was visiting a women's college to meet with students after her arrival at the election campaign.

Joyce George's statement has drawn a lot of criticism from the ANC.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala on Tuesday described the sexually explicit remarks directed at Gandhi as 'unfortunate and unacceptable.'

The case against the former MP must be registered and he must be arrested, he said.

MP and Youth Congress leader Dean Kuriakose lashed out at former MP and said George might be talking about his character.

"The violence within him is now over. What is the right thing to do to criticize Rahul Gandhi? He is trying to follow in the footsteps of Energy Minister M Mani, who is known for making such degrading ideas," he said.

Kuriakose said in the comments, the former MP not only insulted Gandhi but also the female students.

He also said he would soon lodge a complaint with the Electoral Commission against George.

Criticizing George, Kerala ANC leader P J Joseph said the remarks were "immature" and wanted to know if it was the view of the entire LDF.

However, Minister M Mani apologized to George and said he did not say anything against women but only criticized Rahul Gandhi. PTI