Cong suspends rape-accused MLA from party post
The Congress in Kerala on Sunday suspended its MLA M Vincent from the party post after he was arrested for allegedly raping and stalking a woman, though it defended him saying “the case and his arrest is politically motivated.”
“Though the rape charges and the arrest was part of a political conspiracy, considering the complaint of the woman, the Congress has decided to suspend Vincent from the party secretary post, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president M M Hassan told reporters here.
He would stand divested of the party post till his innocence in the case is proved, Hassan said, adding, Vincent has told the party that he was confident that he would be able to prove his innocence in the court.
The Congress rejected the demand of the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF for the resignation of Vincent and said there was no need for it now.
“Party will take a call on that after he is declared guilty by the court,” he said.
Terming the arrest as an unusual step, Hassan wanted the police to probe the conspiracy angle to the whole episode.
“The charges against the MLA were converted into rape following political pressure exerted by local CPI(M) MLA K Ansalan and some of its local leaders,” Hassan alleged.
Hassan also mentioned about media reports on statement of the victim’s sister that “it is a case of political conspiracy and the victim is suffering from mental problem.”
Stating that the case and further steps against Vincent was taken in a haste, Hassan said CPI(M)-led LDF government had not taken any action against its worker in Vadakancherry and NCP MLA A K Saseendhran who were facing sexual harassment complaint by women.