United Democratic Front (UDF) convenor Adoor Prakash on Tuesday clarified that he has always supported the survivor in the 2017 actress assault case, marking a U-turn from his earlier statement in the morning supporting Dileep.

“My words are being misinterpreted by the media. I have always stood with the survivor. I do believe she has not received justice due to lapses on the part of the prosecution. The government is trying to save face now,” he said.

Earlier, after casting his vote, Prakash had expressed satisfaction with the verdict acquitting Dileep. “Even while saying that we are all with the survivor, we must also recognise that everyone deserves justice. As far as Dileep is concerned, he has now received justice. Dileep himself has said that senior police officers were involved in a conspiracy to frame him,” he added, noting that he had a personal relationship with the actor.

Other Congress leaders, including Opposition Leader V D Satheesan, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, Ramesh Chennithala and Shashi Tharoor, distanced themselves from Prakash’s comments.

KPCC President Sunny Joseph said that Adoor Prakash's opnion was his own and that the party's stance was very clear in the matter. "The Opposition Leader and I have made our stance clear. The government and prosecution has failed in providing conclusive evidence in the case. The government should go for an appeal," Sunny Joseph said.

“Everyone is entitled to their personal opinion.  But the party has always been with the survivor in the actress assault case. We support the government’s decision to appeal the verdict,” Shashi Tharoor said.

Meanwhile, Ministers Veena George and Saji Cherian slammed Adoor Prakash for his remarks. "It reflects his party's misogynistic stance," Veena George said. CPI secretary Binoy Viswam said that Adoor Prakash's remarks were not surprisiing cosidering that the front supported sexual assault case accused Rahul Mamkootathil.