Palakkad, Kerala: Absconding Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil is expected to arrive on Thursday to cast his vote in the Kerala local body elections after securing anticipatory bail in the second sexual assault case.

Mamkootathil is registered to vote at St. Sebastian’s School, Kunnathurmedu, under the Palakkad Municipality. Sources close to the MLA indicate that, with no imminent threat of arrest in either of the two cases, Mamkootathil may appear in the district to vote tomorrow.

However, staff at Mamkootathil’s office said they have no official communication about his arrival. They said they only know what is reported in the media and confirmed that there has been no contact with Rahul since November 27.

Mamkootathil went into hiding soon after the sexual assault complaint surfaced and has remained missing for two weeks. While the Kerala High Court had earlier granted him interim protection from arrest in the first case, the Sessions Court on Wednesday granted him anticipatory bail in the second case.

Given these developments, sources say Mamkootathil may choose to appear and vote, especially since abstaining from voting as a sitting MLA could create negative political implications.