‘Tear Your Blouse…’: Kerala Congress Leader Asks Partymen To Use Women To Entrap Poll Rivals

Idukki Congress leader CP Mathew allegedly suggested women leaders could tear their own clothes and lodge complaints in the event of a confrontation against political rivals

Kerala Congress leader CP Mathew also allegedly spoke involving SC/ST women to invoke provisions of the SC/ST Act to make cases more serious legally. (News18 Malayalam)

A major political controversy has erupted in poll-bound Kerala after a video surfaced showing Idukki District Congress Committee (DCC) president CP Mathew allegedly asking party workers to use women to file false complaints against political opponents.

The remarks were purportedly made during an election campaign event in Vazhathop for United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Roy K Paulos.

In the speech, Mathew purportedly suggested that women leaders could tear their own clothes and lodge complaints in the event of a confrontation, claiming such tactics would strengthen cases against rivals.

He also allegedly spoke about using provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act by involving women from SC/ST communities, indicating it could make cases more serious legally.

The comments, widely circulated on social media, have triggered sharp criticism from political opponents and civil society.

Senior leaders, including Kerala Congress Vice-President Jayson Joseph, were present on stage when the remarks were made, but have not publicly responded so far.

The ruling CPI(M) strongly condemned the statements, with party leaders accusing the opposition Congress of attempting to incite violence and misuse legal provisions during the election period. They alleged a deliberate strategy to frame opponents and influence the electoral outcome.

This is not the first time Mathew has landed in hot water. He was recently in the spotlight over an incident in which he allegedly assaulted a party worker at a public event.

In Kerala, the Congress is part of the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), which is contesting against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI(M). The state will go to polls on April 9, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

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