Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress party on Sunday expelled Simi Rosebell John, a member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), following her controversial remarks about women leaders within the party during an interview with a private TV channel. John said, “Women face exploitation in all sectors, including workplaces and politics. Many women within the party have confided their negative experiences to me,” as per a New Indian Express report
She advised these women not to meet male leaders alone. cannot independently verify the information.
As per a Hindu report, she also alleged that patronage and sponsorship were necessary for women to advance in the party hierarchy. cannot independently verify the information.
As per a PTI report, John further claimed that those who were not in favour with certain party leaders, such as Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, faced marginalisation. She accused leaders like Satheesan and Hibi Eden of obstructing her opportunities within the party.
Kerala Congress defends expulsion
In response, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) justified John’s expulsion by stating that her allegations were intended to “mentally harassing and defaming lakhs of women leaders and workers in the Congress movement, allegedly in collusion with political adversaries.”
“Women leaders from the KPCC Political Affairs Committee, KPCC office bearers, and Mahila Congress State President, among others, had jointly requested the KPCC leadership to take action against her,” ANI quoted the statement as saying.
John’s reaction
Simi Rosebell John reacted strongly to her expulsion. She criticsed the decision as unjust. She highlighted that a long-time worker was expelled without evidence of conspiring with the CPI(M). John said that Lathika Subash, Mahila Congress State President, faced a similar fate, hinting at similar reasons.
She also said that Padmaja Venugopal’s expulsion and public criticism. John argued that the party’s toxic environment prevents women with self-respect from thriving and claimed her expulsion was due to her advocacy for women’s rights. She denied any CPI(M) conspiracy, demanded evidence from the party leaders, and expressed fear for her safety as a widow.