Kerala Congress leader Simi Rosebell John, who recently alleged that women leaders within the party require patronage from senior figures to advance, has been expelled from the party. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) announced the disciplinary action on Sunday, stating that Simi's conduct was considered a serious breach of discipline.
According to a statement from KPCC, Simi’s allegations were perceived as an attempt to defame and mentally harass the party’s women leaders and workers. The statement highlighted that several women leaders from KPCC's political affairs committee, female office-bearers of the PCC, and the Mahila Congress chief had collectively requested action against Simi.
This led to Congress' Kerala unit president K Sudhakaran taking action against her, as confirmed by KPCC general secretary M Liju, news agency PTI reported.
Speaking to a regional news channel, Simi claimed that female members were often made to endure exploitation to gain opportunities within the grand old party, India Today reported.
She further put allegations of sexual harassment against several Congress leaders, including opposition leader VD Satheesan, alleging that only by 'impressing' male leaders women could gain important positions, often sidelining talent and experience.
Women With Self-Respect Won’t Be Able To Work In Congress: Simi Rosebell John
In response to her expulsion, Simi expressed her grievances in a news conference in Kochi. She criticised the Congress party, asserting, "Recently a person who worked for this party for a long time was expelled. The reason given was that this person conspired with CPI(M), but there is no evidence. If they have it, they should make it public. The state President of Mahila Congress Lathika Subash has shared her pain with me…she was also expelled; you can guess the reason. K Karunakaran’s daughter Padmaja Venugopal was also insulted and expelled; she even posted about it…in this party, women with self-respect won’t be able to work…I was also expelled from the party…"
"The only mistake I made was I became the voice of the women here…if I conspired with CPI(M) they should prove it. They tried to stomp upon a helpless widow like me…VD Satheesan is not scared of anyone…so many people who were with me are in different posts now. I feel now scared to walk on the road; anything can happen to me,” news agency ANI quoted her as saying.
Earlier, KPCC President and Member of Lok Sabha K Sudhakaran defended the party’s decision, calling Simi’s allegations baseless. He stated, "The Mahila Congress has filed a complaint against Simi Rosebell John's allegations. Simi made disparaging remarks against the leaders. Her allegations are baseless. KPCC will investigate the complaint filed by Mahila Congress."
The ruling CPI(M) took the opportunity to criticise the Congress, likening its internal power struggles purportedly to those in the film industry.