RAIPUR: Congress national media coordinator
Radhika Khera
has alleged that she faced
verbal abuse
, heckling, and
insults
from party leaders in Chhattisgarh. Her video, showing her sobbing and complaining about the incident, has gone viral on
social media
amid the ongoing campaign for the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
Khera, who was at the state Congress headquarters to attend a meeting, took to the social media platform X after the incident, saying, “Women are not safe in the land of Mata Kaushalya.
People suffering from male chauvinistic mentality are still trying to crush daughters under their feet. I will expose this.”
“This has never happened to me in my 40 years of life. I was insulted whenever I talked to him. He shouted at me and asked me to leave. I will resign from the party as I cannot tolerate verbal abuse and insults,” a tearful Khera is heard saying in the video, speaking over the phone inside a chamber at Rajiv Bhawan in Raipur.
She later posted on X, “Women, you are not weak; recognise your strength. Fight for your rights yourself, only then will there be upliftment. Why are women helpless? Why are they stripped of dignity? Is this earth devoid of manhood today?”
Party sources said the incident took place on Tuesday at the state party office where a meeting was being held to discuss plans for the visit of state party in-charge Sachin Pilot and other leaders to Chhattisgarh. Congress circles said state Congress communication department chairman Sushil Anand Shukla and Radhika Khera had an argument that escalated, leading to an unpleasant situation. While both leaders were not available for comments, Congress state president Deepak Baij told reporters that the matter wasn’t that significant and talks were ongoing with both members of the communication department, which would soon be resolved.
As Radhika Khera was heard threatening to leave the party, speculations began that she might join the BJP. BJP leaders in Chhattisgarh also joined the issue, criticising the Congress over the incident.
Former minister Rajesh Munat, an MLA, said it exposes the anti-women face of the Congress. It was Congress’ Priyanka Gandhi’s slogan ‘I am a girl, I can fight.’ Radhika’s sister, you should not be afraid and boldly fight against the hatred in Congress, Munat said.
BJP state spokesperson Kedar Gupta said they were also deeply saddened to see the heart-wrenching video of Radhika Khera shedding tears. He said, “Radhika ji, stay away from Congressmen and nothing will happen to you in Chhattisgarh. This is the guarantee of Modi and the good governance of CM Vishnu Deo Sai.”
