A clash broke out between Congress MLA Ramya Haridas and local party workers in Chirayinkeezhu, in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district, on Friday night. A video of the clash has also surfaced. It shows some people scuffling with Ramya.
People twisted the MLA’s arm behind her back. In the video, the MLA can be heard asking them to let go of her hand and asking the person in front of her who he is. After the incident, the MLA received treatment at the Chirayinkeezhu Taluk Hospital.
Based on her complaint, police registered a case under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Act against seven Congress workers, including district panchayat member Sajith Muthambalam and party leader Sajjad.
Dispute began over a WhatsApp post
According to police, the dispute began over the participation of the MLA’s staff member, Palayam Pradeep, in a meeting of the block panchayat committee. Haridas said that Pradeep works as her personal assistant. Sajjad, however, claimed that the MLA’s PA is someone else named Vimal.
Haridas stated that a bank election had recently been held in the area. Congress members were contesting the election on three different panels. She had refused to attend the convention of any panel to avoid sending the message that she supported one particular faction.
After this, Sajjad made comments against her on WhatsApp and social media. According to Haridas, when she questioned Sajjad about these posts, he said they had been made at the behest of Sajith and Viswanathan. Later, Sajjad asked her to come to his house to discuss the issue.
MLA alleges threats and assault
According to Haridas, she reached Sajjad’s house with a few people. Meanwhile, Sajith, Adheesh, Binoy, and several others also arrived there. The MLA alleged that Sajith behaved aggressively toward her and threatened her. She claimed that Sajith said she would not be able to return on foot in the same way she had come there.
Haridas described this as a conspiracy to harm him and his associates. He suffered injuries in the incident and subsequently received treatment at a hospital. Based on his complaint, the police have registered a case against seven Congress workers.
Sajjad alleges-MLA and his associates arrived at his house
Rejecting the MLA’s allegations, Sajjad presented a different version of the incident. He said that he had questioned Pradeep’s participation in the Block Panchayat Samiti meeting in the party’s WhatsApp group. He alleged that ever since becoming an MLA, Pradeep had been interfering excessively in the area.
According to Sajjad, he had made this post at around 4 p.m. on Friday. Later that night, Ramya Haridas, Pradeep, and a few others arrived at his chicken shop. He alleged that they demanded to meet his wife and daughter and later forcibly took him from the shop to his home.
Sajad said that some local Congress leaders, including Sajit, joined him along the way. After reaching home, Pradeep took out his mobile phone and asked his daughter to read out the WhatsApp post. When Sajad objected, the argument escalated. He claims that during this, Sajit questioned the MLA, and the matter escalated into a scuffle.
Video of the incident emerges
Sajad claims that the scuffle shown in the video occurred when Haridas moved toward the person recording the incident. He also rejected the MLA’s claim that he had been invited home for a discussion over tea. According to him, the MLA and his associates came to his house after an argument over the WhatsApp post.
Sajad filed a complaint with the police and sought protection. His wife has also lodged a complaint. He alleged that the police have not yet recorded either of their statements. The police said that a separate case would be registered based on Sajad’s complaint.
Congress will conduct a preliminary inquiry into the matter
Following the incident, the Thiruvananthapuram district leadership of the Congress and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee have taken cognizance of the matter. The party has decided to conduct a preliminary inquiry into the dispute. During the inquiry, the views of both MLA Ramya Haridas and the concerned Congress workers will be heard.
