Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s much publicised `Ladki Hoon, Lad Shakti Hoon’ campaign received another setback when ahead of the assembly elections, Congress candidate from Shekhpur assembly seat in Budaun, Farah Naeem, accused district party president Omkar Singh of misogynist behaviour and discrimination against Muslims.
The allegations were made just a few hours after her ticket was cancelled by the party on Thursday. “Women are not safe in the Budaun unit of the party. The way I had to fight to get a ticket… Omkar Singh tried to stop me by slinging mud on my character and that of other women…He is of the view that Muslim women should not be given tickets although Congress wants the vote of every community,” Naeem told the media persons.
She added, “Omkar Singh did not leave any stone unturned to create hurdles for me… He tried to threaten and intimidate me. If people like Omkar Singh will remain a part of this party, then, I will not contest elections. At the same time, I also resign as a member of Congress.”
She also accused the district party president of trying to malign her image by labeling her ‘too poor to contest elections’ and ‘characterless.’ Naeem said, “I am extremely hurt. But, I have decided to fight it out since I am a woman. I will continue to do my service in spheres where women continue to feel unsafe and isolated.”
She emphasised, “I regret that I served under the Congress local chief. Omkar Singh used derogatory words against me..”
She, however, thanked Priyanka Gandhi for giving her the inner strength to speak out about her ordeal. “As long as people like Omkar Singh are part of the Congress, I cannot remain there. So, I take back my election candidature as well as party membership. I am hurt,” Farah Naeem concluded.
On Thursday, the central election committee of the Congress issued a press release, highlighting the removal of Farah Naeem as the party’s official candidate from Shekhpur constituency in Budaun. The party replaced her with another candidate named Mamta Devi Prajapati.
Earlier `Ladki Hoon, Lad Shakti Hoon’ poster girl Priyanka Maurya left the party to join Bharatiya Janata Party after being denied ticket. She also accused Vadra’s secretary of demanding money for ticket. Three days back, another prominent women face of the party, Indu Aron, Congress candidate from Bareilly Cantonment had left the party to join Samajwadi Party.
