Rahul Mamkootathil’s Assembly entry sparks outrage, splits Congress

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, suspended from the party over multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and forced abortion, triggered uproar on Monday with his first public appearance since the suspension. The Palakkad legislator walked into the Kerala Assembly session despite objections from senior party leaders and protests outside the MLA Hostel.

SFI activists blocked his vehicle, squatting in front of it and raising slogans. Police eventually cleared the protesters as Mamkootathil stayed put inside his car, refusing to respond to media queries.

Inside the Assembly, his arrival coincided with obituary references for late leaders, including former chief minister V S Achuthanandan. Opposition Leader V D Satheesan had earlier written to the Speaker seeking his suspension from the Parliamentary Party and removal from the Opposition bloc. Mamkootathil was seated separately and later left after exchanging notes with members.

While Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala warned that his presence would damage the credibility of the UDF, KPCC President Sunny Joseph, UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash, and Working President Shafi Parambil extended support, deepening factional divides in the Congress. Many leaders, however, distanced themselves, arguing the party was no longer responsible for his actions.

Addressing reporters, Mamkootathil refused to answer repeated questions on the sexual harassment charges or the leaked audio clip. He maintained that the investigation, being handled by the state police under the Left government, would reveal the truth.

His evasive stance drew sharp criticism. CPI M veteran E P Jayarajan termed the appearance a deliberate attempt to disrupt proceedings and “an insult to the people and the Assembly.”

Mamkootathil, who resigned as Youth Congress state president following the allegations, had been keeping a low profile at his home in Adoor. His sudden Assembly appearance, backed by a faction of Congress leaders, has now escalated internal strife, placing the party in a politically precarious position while an official probe continues.