Congress MLA Remya Haridas with CM V.D. Satheeshan (left); Remya Haridas during the scuffle (right)
Congress infighting over a local cooperative bank election has led to an alleged assault on Congress MLA Remya Haridas in Kerala, with Chirayinkeez Police booking 15 Congress workers under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act; a counter-case has also been registered against the MLA.
Remya Haridas underwent treatment at the taluk hospital, where police recorded her statement. The visuals of the fisticuffs went viral on September 4. Remya represents the Chirayinkeez Assembly constituency.
According to Remya, the incident was linked to a dispute over a local cooperative bank election. She said the bank is ruled by Congress, but the party is contesting the election through three different panels. Although she was invited to the election conventions and photo sessions of all three groups, she kept away from their activities.
Remya alleged that Block Panchayat member Sajad, a Congress leader, was unhappy with her decision and had been creating trouble for her. She said she therefore visited his house to settle the issue after he invited her for a cup of tea.
According to the MLA, while they were talking, Sajit Muttappalam arrived with a team. She alleged that Adish, one of them, held her hand and pushed her, kicked her leg and threatened her that she would not return in the “same shape”.
The incident has also resulted in a case against the MLA following a complaint by Congress leader Sajad, who alleged that she attacked him.
Sajad said elected representatives, officials and contractors had attended a meeting convened by the Block Panchayat.
According to his complaint, MLA’s aide Pradeep entered the scene, following which arguments began. Congressmen then arrived and an altercation broke out between Pradeep and Sajit Muttappalam.
The complaint further alleged that a Congress worker had posted an opinion on social media against the interference of the MLA’s PA in matters concerning contractors. It alleged that the MLA and her team subsequently visited Sajad’s house and assaulted him.
Sajath told the media that, to the best of his knowledge, Pradeep was neither the MLA’s PA nor did he hold any position in the party.
The latest dispute comes against the backdrop of continuing factionalism within the Congress in Kerala since the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) came to power on May 18. Internal disputes and altercations have repeatedly surfaced within the party.
On August 28, Congress Thiruvananthapuram District Committee (DCC) member Chembil Anil was arrested for allegedly blockading Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan’s vehicle. According to reports, Satheeshan and Anil had an argument on the road in connection with the blockade.
The following day, on August 29, another DCC member, Suhail Shajahan, told the media that Congress workers should not be arrested when Congress is in power.
BJP Keralam president Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticised Rahul Gandhi and the Congress over the incident.
Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s speeches about “smashing the patriarchy”, Chandrasekhar questioned his silence over the assault on Remya Haridas, describing it as an example of “Congress hypocrisy”.
He said physical assault on a woman, particularly an elected representative from the Scheduled Caste community, could never be justified and that any dispute should be addressed through due process of law.
The BJP leader further accused the Congress and CPM of having “normalised violence” in Kerala’s political culture and said, “When it comes to political violence and intimidation, they are not two but one. Randalla, onnanu.”
Rahul Gandhi often speaks loudly about respect for women and accuses his political opponents of mistreating them. But when a woman MLA from his own Congress party is allegedly manhandled, he is silent.
Critics say the episode exposes the gap between Rahul Gandhi’s speeches and the reality within his own party. His political style, they argue, is often “hit and run”—make serious allegations, face questions over the evidence and then find an easy escape route. The Keralam incident now raises a similar question: if Congress cannot ensure respect for its own woman MLA, what credibility do Rahul Gandhi’s repeated lectures on women’s dignity carry?
