A major row erupted after A.M. Ariff, MP, made a controversial remark aimed at United Democratic Front (UDF) Kayamkulam Assembly constituency candidate Aritha Babu on Sunday.
Speaking at a women’s meeting organised as part of the election campaigning of sitting MLA and Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate U. Prathibha of the CPI (M) in Kayamkulam, Mr. Ariff said that this was not an election to a milk society but to the Kerala Assembly.
He was referring to the UDF often highlighting the humble background of its candidate during the election campaign to woo voters.
At 26, Ms. Babu is one of the the youngest Congress candidates in the poll fray in the State. Her candidature has made headlines as she looks after her family by rearing cows and selling milk.
Ms. Babu said that the remarks had pained her. It was an insult to the entire working class. UDF leaders have sought an apology from Mr. Ariff.
Kayamkulam is witnessing an extremely tight contest between the two women. Pradeep Lal of the Bharath Dharma Jana Sena is the National Democratic Alliance candidate here.
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala demanded an apology from the MP. He said the comment was an insult to Ms. Babu. People of Kayamkulam would give a fitting reply to it.
Ariff’s response
Meanwhile, Mr. Ariff in a statement said his words were deliberately misconstrued by accentuating a fraction of the speech. Mr. Ariff clarified that he made the remark while mentioning that the UDF and some media were highlighting the poor economic background of the candidate to woo voters in Kayamkulam.
“I made the comment while asking whether financial constraints and personal struggles were criteria for candidature in Assembly polls, and whether the Congress would seek votes for LDF candidates in Haripad and Cherthala, who struggled a lot in their lives. I have not insulted any vocation or candidate.”
