In a significant political development in Kerala, the CPI(M) has initiated steps to remove Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil from the Kerala Assembly following his arrest in a sexual harassment case.
Vamanapuram MLA D.K. Murali on Wednesday submitted a formal notice to Kerala Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer seeking Mamkootathil’s disqualification. In the notice, Murali stated that the conduct of the MLA was unbecoming of a member of the House and amounted to a violation of the rules governing legislators.
Murali’s move came hours after Speaker Shamseer told the media that action could be initiated if any MLA submitted a formal complaint in the matter. Acting on this assurance, Murali also filed a letter requesting that the issue be raised in the Assembly, alleging that Mamkootathil had violated the model code of conduct applicable to elected representatives.
Responding to the development, Shamseer said the matter would be examined by the Assembly’s Privileges and Ethics Committee. He noted that while the House has the power to disqualify a member, it has no prior precedent of doing so solely on the basis of criminal cases.
The Speaker clarified that although several complaints had been received from outside against Mamkootathil, proceedings could only be initiated on the basis of a complaint submitted by an MLA. He added that a final decision would be taken after consultations with legal experts.
Shamseer also remarked that an elected representative continuing in office while facing serious allegations of sexual harassment sends a wrong message to society. The issue is expected to come under discussion when the Assembly’s Budget Session begins on the 20th of this month.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, publicly stated that Mamkootathil is now outside the Congress. Uncertainty also remains over whether Mamkootathil will attend the Budget Session in the event he secures bail.
On Tuesday, the Thiruvalla First Class Judicial Magistrate Court had granted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) three-day custody of Mamkootathil. His bail application is expected to be considered on Friday.
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