Panaji, March 24 (IANS) From the looks of it the AAP in Goa will be in a position to take on its foes, the BJP and Congress, only if its members stop fighting among themselves.
The party's south Goa candidate Swati Kerkar, a woman activist, is now the target of a campaign by er... men's activist Michael Ferns, who runs the Dadleancho Ekvot, a state's only men's collective. Kerkar at a recent party meeting in Margao, 35 km from here, was accused by Ferns of wrongly implicating a teacher in a criminal case for sexually harassing a student, also protesting her candidature for the South Goa seat.
"Do we want such a type of woman to represent the state in parliament," asked Ferns, claiming he was convinced that the teacher in question - Yogesh Khandeparkar - was innocent and the complaint was false. Back in 2012 also, a student had complained that Khandeparkar was sexually harassing her.
The student's statement was recorded by the police in the presence of Kerkar, who was summoned by the police, as procedure demands that a statement in such cases be recorded before a social worker or a counselor. However, the following day, the victim's father sought withdrawal of his daughter's complaint and accused Kerkar of coercing her into filing the case against the teacher.
When Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal was booked for rape by the Goa Police last year, Ferns had also claimed that something was "amiss" in the case.
Ferns became a member of the AAP in Goa quite early. His Dadleancho Ekvott was started last May to protect the rights of "innocent men and boys". Kerkar, on the other hand, claimed she wasn't personally involved in the case and went to the police station on being summoned.
"I was there in the interest of the girl child who feared that she would become a victim of politicking. She was also surprised by the manner in which her father had refused to back her," Kerkar told IANS. "The case is being investigated by the police. Let it reach its logical conclusion," Kerkar further said, adding that she didn't want to play up the issue - while also questioning the credentials of her party colleague.
Other AAP members too have accused Ferns of making allegations without having evidence to substantiate them. "If he thinks there was a frame-up, can he tell how the frame-up happened? The sequence of events, the reason for the frame-up, why these girls were chosen, how they were harassed, how did the parents so easily fall for the frame-up? And then, how did the parents finally realize the truth," AAP party member Samir Kelekar said in a Facebook post.
However, party convenor for Goa Rajashree Nagarsekar would have none of this. She has termed the campaign as an instance of a woman's victimization in public life.
Nagarsekar took to Facebook to vent against the campaign. "The smear campaign faced by women who enter public life is hardly new... does the constant scrutiny under which they are placed, including a microscopic examination of their lives past and present, act as a deterrent to more women entering politics? Definitely yes," she said.
There hasn't been a loud enough uproar from political leaders - mostly men - against the sort of blatant misogyny reserved for women politicians (and politicians to be)," she added.
The party, which has failed to make an impact in Goa just yet is expected to contest both the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa. While Kerkar will contest the South Goa seat, Dattaram Desai will contest the North Goa seat.
Millions of bitter water lying in the mandi
The unseasonal rain that occurred in the morning wreaked havoc on the farmers and farmers. Due to this, lakhs of wheat bags were wet in the market under the open sky and heavy damage was done. This
Moulana Saad, Tablighi Jamat: Another Audio Of 'Amir' Maulana Saad Of Tablighi Jamaat Goes Viral
New Delhi, Moulana Saad, Tablighi Jamat: Another audio of Maulana Saad, the chief of Tabligi Jamaat, who collected thousands of people at risk in the Tabligi Markaz Jamaat in Hazrat Nizamuddin, South
How will there be war with Corona? 700 samples spoiled waiting for the investigation
Case one - Rajendra Kumar, resident of Basharatpur, got an investigation done on the Urban Health Post on 14 April. His RTPCR BRD was sent. On April 21, he received a message to sample again.
Emergency in Sri Lanka: Entire cabinet resigns amid emergency, PM's son Namal also left all posts
The political upheaval in Sri Lanka has intensified amid the Emergency. The entire cabinet of the country has resigned with immediate effect late on Sunday night. The country's Education Minister and
Pakistani media praised the leadership of PM Modi, saying- India is the most relevant country in the world
For the first time, a leading Pakistani newspaper has hailed India's growing global influence under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country's growing stature on the world stage.
Now the validity of your monthly prepaid plan will be 30 days, not 28, TRAI gave these instructions
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has taken an important decision for prepaid mobile customers. TRAI on Friday directed all telecom companies to give the validity of mobile recharge 30 days
Big terrorist conspiracy failed: Attempt to shake Jammu and Kashmir, security forces destroyed IED in Sidra
A suspicious IED has been recovered in Jammu's Sidra. It is being told that the suspected IED has been found on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Sidra. After this, the police stopped the traffic
INDIA Meet: 'India' alliance meeting may be held on this day in December, emphasis will be on seat distribution for Lok Sabha elections
The next meeting of the opposition alliance 'India' formed to counter the ruling NDA and BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections may be held in the third week of December. Sources said that in this
Highest turnout reflection of people wanting change: Rajnath Singh
New Delhi, May 12 (IANS) BJP president Rajnath Singh said Monday the highest turnout in the Lok Sabha election was a clear indication of change and people wanting a government with a full
Delhi will play all the remaining Ranji trophy matches at Feroz Shah Kotla
The senior vice president Chetan Chauhan officialy confirmed that three of the remaining matches will be happening at Feroz Shah Kotla ground. “let me confirmed this. Delhi will play all their