Rahul Mamkootathil Returns to Constituency 38 Days After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Palakkad: Suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil visited his Palakkad constituency on Wednesday for the first time since sexual misconduct allegations surfaced against him and the subsequent party action. He had last visited the constituency on August 17, marking a gap of 38 days.

When approached by the media about the allegations, Mamkootathil remained silent, stating he would engage with the media only at his discretion. He visited the MLA office under heavy police security, anticipating possible protests from CPI M supporters.

Sources said the MLA began his journey from his residence in Adoor in the morning, accompanied by local party leaders, and first visited the home of a close relative of a local Congress leader. Despite being surrounded by reporters, he declined to speak and walked away.

DYFI Stages Protest as Rahul Mamkootathil Visits Palakkad Constituency After 38 Days

A significant police presence was deployed outside the MLA office throughout the day, expecting opposition protests. Activists of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M), held a march with a microphone alerting the public to Mamkootathil’s arrival and urging women to remain vigilant.

Mamkoottathil later interacted with local party functionaries and others at his MLA office.

After staying largely out of public view following the allegations, Mamkootathil made his first public appearance last week at the Kerala Assembly. SFI activists had staged a protest, blocking his vehicle near the MLA Hostel. He later clarified outside the Legislative Assembly that his visit was not in defiance of the Congress leadership but refrained from commenting on the allegations or the purported audio clips related to the case.

Mamkootathil recently resigned as Youth Congress state president following accusations by Malayalam actress Rini Ann George against a young leader of a major political party. Subsequent allegations were also made by other women and a transgender person. The Congress party suspended him over the charges.