‘It Happens in Every Household’; Ramya Haridas Defends Attack on Congress Leaders at Their Homes

Thiruvananthapuram: Chirayinkeezhu MLA Ramya Haridas has defended the attack on Congress leaders at their homes after they questioned unauthorised fund collection. The MLA said the issue in Chirayinkeezhu was no different from what happens in any household, party or organisation. Ramya said the matter could be resolved within the party.

The MLA also defended her decision not to appear before the committee headed by M M Hassan, appointed by the KPCC to investigate the attack, as well as her claim that she was in Delhi. Ramya said she had booked a ticket to travel to Delhi but cancelled the trip due to physical discomfort. However, she declined to respond when asked about her presence in Palakkad on the day she had said she was in Delhi.

Ramya was in Palakkad on the day she claimed to be in Delhi. She attended a function at the residence of DCC president A Thankappan and arrived in a private vehicle instead of her official vehicle. There are also reports taht Ramya met AICC general secretary K C Venugopal. M M Hassan had told the media that Ramya informed him that she could not appear before the committee because she was in Delhi and had provided an explanation over the phone.

Mandalam vice president S Sajad, who was assaulted by the MLA, and KPCC member Palayam Pradeep, who took part in the attack along with the MLA, had been suspended. The action was taken after they were summoned to the KPCC headquarters and asked to provide explanations. However, no action has been taken against the MLA, who arrived at Sajad’s house with a group of people and carried out the attack. A section of Congress leaders is deeply dissatisfied with the KPCC leadership’s stance of protecting the MLA.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph also declined to comment on Ramya’s failure to appear before the committee or her presence in Palakkad despite claiming to be in Delhi. Sunny Joseph said he was not aware of the matter.

The incident took place around 10 pm on Friday, when Ramya and a group of people entered Sajad’s house at Pulimoodu in Chirayinkeezhu and attacked him. After filing a complaint with the police alleging that she had been assaulted, the MLA sought treatment at a hospital.

Based on the MLA’s complaint, the Chirayinkeezhu police registered a case against 14 people, invoking non-bailable offences, including provisions of the law preventing atrocities and discrimination against members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The accused include Sajith Muttappalam, Sajad, Biju, Binoy S Chandran, Adheesh and former Block Congress president Viswanathan Nair.

Police have not registered a case based on the complaint filed by Sajad and his wife over the assault at their home. According to reports, the government has instructed the police not to register a case against the MLA.