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The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala is in a spot of bother after a woman leader of the Democratic Youth Wing of India, the party’s youth wing, raised sexual harassment charges against Shoranur legislator PK Sasi.
Sasi is also the CPI(M)’s Area Secretary in Mannarkad, in Palakkad district, and a member of the party’s District Secretariat. The alleged act of harassment took place in Mannarkad.
Internal probe
The party has launched an internal probe into the charge, State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said here, while acknowledging the receipt of a formal complaint as far back as three weeks ago.
The lack of any concrete response from the State party unit saw the complaint being escalated first to Politburo member Brinda Karat, and later to Sitaram Yechury, the CPI(M) General Secretary.
It has now transpired that it was Yechury who relayed the matter to the State unit, directing it to probe the charge. A two-member committee has been announced with a woman being tipped to be inducted as a member.
In her complaint, the DYFI leader had alleged that the MLA had not only sexually harassed her, but would also call her up often and speak to her indecently.
Denies wrongdoing
According to Balakrishnan, the complainant had the option of approaching the police and seeking justice, but had instead proffered it to the party.
Meanwhile, the complaint has revealed that a woman leader of the party and a former MLA, along with another DYFI leader, had been threatening her to withdraw her statement or face consequences.
The duo would later change tack and promise her ₹1 crore in payout and an elevated post in the DYFI and the CPI(M) if only she withdrew her complaint. She went on to reject both, and says she fears reprisal from the MLA.
On his part, the MLA denied any wrongdoing and said he was ready to face any probe. The Opposition Congress has already demanded his resignation.
The issue could not have cropped up at a more inopportune time for the party and the government when they are busy raising funds to rebuild the flood-hit State. Also, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is away in the US for medical treatment.
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