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Congress leader Shahanas claims party ignored complaints against Rahul, women felt unsafe under his leadership

KOZHIKODE: Lending a new dimension to the Rahul Mamkootathil issue, Youth Congress leader M A Shahanas on Wednesday said she had informed Shafi Parambil about an embarrassing incident involving Rahul when the Vadakara MP was Youth Congress president. Shahanas told reporters that during the farmers agitation a few years ago, Rahul had messaged her when he came to know about her journey to Delhi to participate in the stir and said they could have travelled together. I gave my reply there itself, she said in Kozhikode. Shahanas, who is also the leader of the Congress cultural wing, said she messaged Shafi about the incident, but he never cared to respond. She said she was also adamant that Rahul should not have been made Youth Congress president, asserting that women would feel unsafe under his leadership. I told Shafi clearly that people like Rahul should not be made president. But my words had no value. Instead, I faced ridicule and contempt, she said. Many women members were against making Rahul YC state prez Shahanas said when the ongoing controversies erupted, she reminded Shafi of her message. The reply was a sad smiley, she said, adding that there are many women workers in Congress who have had similar experiences from Rahul. Shahanas said that J S Akhil was the candidate suggested by the late Ommen Chandy for the post. Besides me, many YC women members had objected to appointing Rahul the president. If Shafi denies this, I have proof , she said, adding that Shafi, who speaks eloquently about womens issues, should explain why he made a person like Rahul the YC president and MLA. Shahanas also alleged that when Shafi was president, women were not given the space to work freely in YC. Shafi had received numerous complaints about Rahuls behaviour even during his tenure, she alleged. In an extensive Facebook post, Shahanas described the atmosphere within the party as hostile towards women who speak up. She alleged that many leaders prioritised protecting their male colleagues over supporting women who faced harassment. The Congress organisation I believed in humiliated me instead of standing with me. Even today, I continue to walk into the DCC office where the man who once misbehaved with me is shielded by leaders, she said. She criticised a section of party workers for celebrating Rahul despite the allegations and for insulting the women who came forward with complaints. Remember, you are defending someone accused of criminal behaviour while humiliating women who are victims, she said.