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Updated April 4th, 2021 at 09:25 IST

'Facing discrimination': First transgender candidate pulls out of Kerala Assembly polls

Anannyah Kumari Alex, a transgender to contest for the Kerala Elections on Saturday gave up her candidature after facing alleged stigma from her own party

Reported by: Swagata Banerjee
ANI
ANI | Image:self
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The first transgender candidate to contest for the Kerala Assembly Election on Saturday gave up as the Democratic Social Justice Party (DSJP) nominee after facing alleged stigma, gender discrimination, and sexual harassment from her own party members. Anannyah Kumari Alex, who was the party nominee from the Vengara constituency in the Malappuram district, informed that she has now filed a complaint against the political party and its members for discrimination and harassment. She also appealed to voters to not vote for the party. 

She was quoted by ANI saying, "I withdrew because I am facing stigma, gender discrimination and sexual harassment from the Democratic Social Justice Party. They are trying to play with me to get more publicity. They had some plans and reasons for putting me in the front."

"They compelled me to talk bad things against PK Kunhalikutty, who is the candidate in Vengara constituency from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). They compelled me to talk bad things against the present government. They were also compelled me to wear a 'pardah' or a 'burkha' at campaigning time. I denied this. Following this, a few party members told me that they will finish me and spoil my career," she added. 

While appealing to the people to not vote for the regressive party, she said, "Don't vote for DSJP. I am not a part of DSJP anymore. Officially, I am not the party's candidate. I have stopped my campaigning in Vengara. I faced sexual harassment, verbal harassment, and gender harassment. My health is not in a good situation. Hope, I will get justice soon," she said.

Kerala Assembly Polls 

Kerala will hold elections for its 140-member assembly on April 6. While LDF hopes to hold power in the state, Congress is doing all it can to reclaim power. The BJP's aggressive campaigning in the state and fielding of 'Metro Man' E Sreedharan as CM face has added spice to the contest whose final results will be declared on May 2.

Image : ANI

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Published April 4th, 2021 at 09:25 IST

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