'Marry women to sleep with': CPM leader after poll win
What's the story
Sayed Ali Majeed, a member of Kerala's ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPM, has sparked controversy with his misogynistic remarks during an event in Malappuram district. The event was held to celebrate his narrow victory in the recent municipal election, where he won by just 47 votes. In his speech, which was attended by hundreds of Left workers including women, Majeed criticized the Muslim League for fielding women candidates and accused them of "using women for votes."
Remarks backlash
Majeed's controversial remarks on women's roles
Majeed went on to make disparaging comments about women in the CPM, saying, "We also have married women at home... but not to show them off to win votes." He further added, "Let them sit at home... marry women to sleep with and make kids." His remarks drew cheers from the audience but have since been widely criticized for their misogynistic undertones.
Election outcome
Election results signal setback for CPM-led government
The recent municipal election results have been viewed as a setback for the CPM-led Left Democratic Front government. The Congress-led United Democratic Front won four out of six municipal corporations, retaining control of Kannur and winning Kochi and Kollam from LDF. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance also made history by winning Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala's state capital.
Seat distribution
Shift in municipal corporation seats
The municipal corporation was traditionally a Left bastion. In the outgoing 100-member corporation, the CPI(M) had 51 seats, BJP-led NDA 35, and UDF 10. In the recent elections, with an expanded membership of 101 seats, NDA won 50 seats while the LDF and UDF secured 29 and 19 seats respectively. Two seats went to Independents.