Rahul Mamkootathil, the suspended Congress MLA for Palakkad, walked into the Kerala Assembly on Monday, making his first public appearance since his suspension from the party following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Accompanied by Youth Congress district president Nemom Shajeer and a few friends, the legislator arrived a few minutes after the session had begun. Although the Leader of the Opposition, VD Satheesan, had reportedly objected to his presence in the assembly, Mamkootathil enjoys support from a significant section of the Congress party.
Speaking to the media after attending the Assembly session, Mamkoottathil said he remains committed to the Congress party. "I am currently suspended from the party, but I continue to be fully loyal to the Congress. I know how a suspended member is expected to behave, and I have followed that exactly," he said. "During this entire period, I have not tried to contact any party leaders," he added.
Rahul also said that he does not expect any special consideration from the ongoing police investigation into the complaints against him. He said the investigation should proceed as per due process. When asked about the specific allegations, Rahul declined to comment, saying that the matter is currently under investigation.
Meanwhile, there was little visible reaction from other members when he entered, even as the House was paying tribute to former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan and two others. While the obituary reference was progressing, he was seen writing on a piece of paper, reportedly a reply to a note from the opposition benches, before leaving the House later. When approached by the media outside, he refused to comment.
Activists from the Students' Federation of India (SFI) blocked his vehicle near the MLA Hostel and staged a brief protest, but they were later removed by the police. Neither the legislator nor the party leadership gave any clarification on whether he would continue to attend the session in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders appeared to be distancing themselves from the matter. They took the position that the party was not required to respond to Mamkootathil's arrival in the Assembly, as he is no longer a member of the parliamentary party.
"He is not a member of the Congress Parliamentary party now. So we are not responsible to reply to any questions in connection with him," said Lok Sabha MP Kodikkunnil Suresh. "What does the party have to say on his arrival in the Assembly?" he asked, adding that such questions are only relevant if he were a member of the Congress party.
Shafi Parambil, a Vadakara MP close to Mamkootathil, said in Thrissur that he had nothing more to say on the matter than what the KPCC chief had already stated. "I am not going to make any statement on the matter. The KPCC Chief already said something about it. The party has taken action also against him," he said.
However, senior CPI (M) leader EP Jayarajan strongly criticised Mamkootathil's presence in the House. He alleged that Mamkootathil's arrival was a deliberate attempt to create issues, calling his actions an "insult" to the people and the Assembly. He also said that the people of the state would not tolerate such "wrong practices."
Mamkootathil had been staying away from public life at his home in Adoor following the allegations and the subsequent party action. The Congress suspended him in August, but he retained his Assembly seat. His appearance followed days of speculation over whether he would attend the session, as the LoP Satheesan had reportedly objected to his presence.
Mamkootathil had recently resigned as Youth Congress state president after Malayalam actress Rini Ann George accused "a young leader" of a well-known political party of misbehaviour. This led to protests by the BJP and the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M). Subsequently, some women and a transgender person also came forward with similar accusations, which resulted in his suspension from the Congress party.
Also read: Crime Branch summons Palakkad MLA in fake ID case
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