'Shameful': Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Congress over Simi Rosebell's expulsion

Rajeev Chandrasekhar

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday slammed Congress over expulsion of senior party member Simi Rosebell John, while addressing a press conference.

Simi Rosebell John, who had claimed that women leaders need "sponsorship" from party leaders to rise in the ranks, was expelled from the grand old party on Sunday.

Taking a jibe at the Kerala unit of Congress, he said, "When a woman leader alleges harassment and exploitation, then they (Congress) do not investigate. Rather, they silence her." He further took at jibe at Congress party's general secretary Priyanka Gandhi and slammed her for using the phrase "Ladki hoon, lad sakti hu" before every election.

Disciplinary action was taken because prima facie the party was convinced that John's act was a serious breach of discipline, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) said in a statement.

Earlier today, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also hit out at Congress. He said that instead of getting the matter investigated, the party expeller a leader who was fighting for women. In a self-made video posted on X, Ponnawalla questioned Congress leader Priyanka Vadra, "Will she stand up for Simi Rosebell John or will she keep quiet?

"The Hema Committee report in Kerala has revealed many secrets. Left MLA Mukesh has also been seriously accused of sexual abuse and rape. The Communist Party of Kerala does not do anything about this but the Congress has shown its anti-women face. Party's senior leader Simi Rosebell John only said that casting couch like thing happens in Kerala Congress too where women are exploited. So the Congress fired her instead of getting it investigated," he said.