Kannur: Kerala Congress President Sunny Joseph on Monday confirmed that Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil is no longer eligible to remain a member of the Congress Legislature Party, following allegations of ‘obscene conduct’.

As a result, Mamkootathil will not be permitted to participate in legislative decisions on behalf of the Congress party.

This development comes after the Congress suspended Mamkootathil from its primary membership, following complaints lodged by writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George.

Speaking to ANI, Kerala Congress President Sunny Joseph said:

“…Though there is no case registered, we’ve taken the matter seriously. After deliberations and discussion, we have taken a unanimous decision to suspend Rahul Mamkootathil from party membership. As a result, he is no longer entitled to continue as a member of the Congress Legislator Party.”

Although suspended from party membership, Mamkootathil has not resigned from his MLA post. The move came amid mounting protests and increasing demands for his resignation.

Earlier, Mamkootathil had stepped down as the State President of the Youth Congress.

Meanwhile, opposition parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Communist Party of India (CPI) have staged protests demanding his resignation. On Sunday, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the CPM, carried out a protest march in Palakkad calling for his removal from the Assembly.

Adding to the controversy, BJP Council Party leader from Kozhikode Corporation, Navya Haridas, alleged that there are multiple other complaints against the MLA.

“There are many allegations against the current Palakkad MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil. It’s not a complaint from one woman; there are so many women complaining against him based on sexual harassment,” Navya told ANI.

“More shocking events are coming when that list includes transgender individuals as well. So, these are not baseless allegations against Rahul; all these allegations are coming with proof, with a chat history, with voice messages and everything,” she added.

BJP Mahila Morcha leaders have also announced statewide protests. “Mahila Morcha is planning many protests in Palakkad district as well as in all the 30 districts of Kerala against this issue,” Navya said.

 

 

 

ANI