Suspended Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil attends Kerala Assembly amid controversy

Thiruvananthapuram: Amid an ongoing controversy over sexual harassment allegations, Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been suspended from the Congress Party, made a public return by attending the Kerala Legislative Assembly session on Monday. His presence triggered strong objections from Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, but the Assembly Speaker permitted his attendance with restrictions.

Speaker AN Shamseer clarified that since Rahul has been suspended from the Congress Parliamentary Party, he would be seated in a separate block. He was assigned the last seat in the opposition row.

Rahul arrived at the Assembly premises in a friend’s vehicle, accompanied by Nemom Shajeer, the district president of the Youth Congress.

The MLA is at the centre of a serious controversy involving multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Complaints filed by writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George accuse him of obscene behaviour, stalking, and persistent harassment.

Rahul had earlier resigned from his post as the State President of the Youth Congress following public outcry, but he continues to retain his MLA position, as no disqualification or legal proceedings have yet barred him from holding office.