THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The UDF leadership has decided to rally behind Kovalam MLA M. Vincent who has been charged with raping a homemaker belonging to his constituency. The UDF high-power committee held at Cantonment House, the official residence of Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala, announced that the UDF also supported the Congress stand that Mr Vincent need not step down as legislator. The UDF leaders were huddled at Cantonment House two hours prior to the KPCC office-bearers’ meeting. Mr Chennithala who raised the issue in the UDF meeting said that there was a political conspiracy against Mr Vincent. Former chief minister Oommen Chandy also explained the situation in Kovalam as he had visited his family and spoken to the locals on Monday.
Mr Chandy said the public sentiments favoured him. KPCC president M. M. Hassan alleged that the controversy was hatched in the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. After the UDF meeting, convener P. P. Thankachan told reporters that the alleged rape case was due to a conspiracy. No action had been taken on Mr Vincent’s complaint to the Speaker and DGP against the woman. “Usually there wouldn’t be an arrest if the accused had applied for an anticipatory bail until the decision on it is clear. In Vincent’s case, he was arrested in haste after discussion with LDF leaders. This has been done to taint the image of Vincent and the UDF,” said Mr Thankachan.
He also alleged that the LDF government had misused the women’s protection law passed by Parliament. However, the majority of the UDF leaders were silent on this issue. But all were united on the decision to challenge the case politically and legally. Congress leaders recalled that in previous instances where politicians were embroiled in similar controversies, they had not resigned as legislators. The UDF leaders agreed that it wouldn’t be fair to blame Mr Vincent as he is just an accused and not a convict.
