A political row has broken out in Kerala just before polling after a video from Idukki district went viral, putting Congress leader CP Mathew under scrutiny. The incident is linked to a campaign event held in Vazhathop in support of United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Roy K Paulos.
"ഒരു രാഷ്ട്രീയ സംഘർഷത്തിന് സാധ്യതയുണ്ടായാൽ വനിത പ്രവർത്തകർ സ്വയം ബ്ളൗസ് വലിച്ച് കീറണം" എന്നൊക്കെ പറയുന്നത് പബ്ലിക്കായി പ്രസംഗിക്കാൻ മാത്രം വല്യ ക്രെഡിറ്റ് ഉള്ള കാര്യമാണ് എന്നാണ് ഇടുക്കി ജില്ലാ കോൺഗ്രസ് കമ്മിറ്റി പ്രസിഡന്റ് സി പി മാത്യു ധരിച്ച് വെച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്…. 🤷🏽♂️
— RINCE KURIAN (@rinse_kurian) April 5, 2026
സ്വന്തം… pic.twitter.com/VijqFEePY6
In the video, Mathew is heard addressing party workers and suggesting ways to deal with political opponents during confrontations. He says women leaders could file complaints in such situations to make cases stronger. He also mentions that women could tear their own clothes and then go to the police, adding that this would help build stronger cases against rivals.
Mathew also talks about using provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act. He suggests involving women from SC/ST communities, saying that it would make the cases more serious from a legal point of view.
The video has spread quickly on social media and has drawn sharp reactions from opposition parties as well as civil society. The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly criticised the remarks, accusing the Congress of trying to create tension during elections and misuse legal provisions. Party leaders said this reflects a planned attempt to frame opponents and influence the election outcome.
Several senior leaders, including Kerala Congress Vice-President Jayson Joseph, were present on the stage when the speech was made, but none of them has issued any public response so far.
This is not the first time Mathew has been in controversy. He had recently faced criticism after an incident in which he was accused of assaulting a party worker at a public event.
Kerala will go to the polls on 9th April for its 140-member Assembly, with counting of votes scheduled for 4th May. The Congress is part of the opposition UDF, which is contesting against the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by the CPI(M) in a closely watched election.
