Personal attack on Ramya cost LDF votes: Balan

Thiruvananthapuram: The personal attacks on Ramya Haridas, who won from the Alathur Lok Sabha constituency in the recently concluded elections, proved costly to the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Minister AK Balan too shares this possibility after the Congress candidate easily won from a seat which was considered safe for the Communist Party of India (Marxist) until the election results came out last week.

LDF convener A Vijayaraghavan’s comment on UDF candidate might have influenced voters, Balan noted. The CPM will analyse the likely impact, said the party’s central committee member.

Vijayaraghavan himself had explained he had no intention to hurt the lady candidate, but the media took his statement out of context.

However, Vijayaraghavan said he does not believe Balan made a comment against him.

His comment was political, not personal, the convener claimed.

The media twisted my remarks against the party. The Left’s loss was unexpected, but the chief minister need not change his style, he added.

Noting the reaction from the Left camp, Ramya said she was glad the CPM conceded its leader's abuse against her contributed to its defeat.

Vijayaraghavan had made dirty insinuations against Ramya in April as the election campaign was on.

"His offending words created much mental trauma. He should have realised I too have parents and family. I have overcome many such attacks before,” Ramya had reacted so then. "Character assassination has no space in the fight of ideologies. Those who claim to espouse renaissance values should not hurl abuses at women. The people of Alathur know what I am. No such propaganda can stop me from winning," Ramya had said then.

Meanwhile, Balan also pointed out that CPM's Palakkad candidate MB Rajesh didn't cite infighting as a factor behind his defeat.

Ramya's worry

Ramya, the winning candidate from Alathur, is however disappointed as the government and the women’s commission didn't take action against Vijayaraghavan.

"Women should come forward to defend women’s rights. The women’s commission has the responsibility to fight for women and not be swayed by political affiliations. Even those who are unaware of the rules should get its backing," she stated.

Plan ahead

Ramya shared her plans for the constituency which borders Tamil Nadu. (Alathur Lok Sabha constituency is made up of Tarur, Chittur, Nenmara and Alathur in Palakkad district; and Chelakkara, Kunnamkulam and Wadakkanchery in Thrissur district.)

"Though an MP from Alathur, I represent all women from Kerala. I have a project in mind for the women in Alathur. They wake up early to go to work in Tamil Nadu’s textile shops. I have a plan to provide them with permanent job opportunities. I want to make sure the women in villages find jobs matching their skills and earn a respectable wage," Ramya revealed.