New Delhi, Mar 30 (PTI) CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya on Tuesday hit out at CPI(M)-backed former MP Joyce George over his controversial remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying the Left movement needs to come out of the "abyss of everyday sexism and misogyny".

The Left needs to be progressive on every front, Bhattacharya said.

Addressing a poll rally in support of a CPI(M) candidate in Kerala's Irattayar on Monday, George said Gandhi only visits women's colleges and girls should be "careful" while dealing with him.

"Rahul Gandhi is a bachelor and a troublemaker... so girls should be wary of him," said George in reference to the Congress leader's visit to a women's college in Kochi last week.

Taking to Twitter, Bhattacharya said, "It's not fun! The Left movement in India needs to come out of this abyss of everyday sexism and misogyny! Comrades across the Left spectrum need to take a call and reject this discourse. The Left needs to be progressive on every score, on every front."

The CPI(M) has distanced itself from George's remarks, while the former MP has expressed regret.

"I hereby unconditionally withdraw the inappropriate remarks made by me while addressing an election rally in Irattayar on Monday. I also express regret over that," George said on Tuesday.

George won as the CPI(M)-backed independent during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Kerala's Idukki. He lost to Congress' Dean Kuriakose in the 2019 general elections.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)