THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has suspended Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil from the party’s primary membership following accusations of inappropriate sexual behaviour towards women. 

The former Youth Congress state president had stepped down from his post after multiple allegations, including statements from actress Rini Ann George and transwoman Avanthika, who shared accounts of harassment. Several complaints against Rahul had also reached the party’s national leadership.

With the suspension, Rahul will have to sit as an independent block in the upcoming legislative assembly session scheduled to begin on September 15. However, it is likely that he may go on leave and skip the session altogether.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph officially stated that Rahul is suspended and does not have to resign from his MLA post, as there are no official complaints registered against him. However, the duration of the suspension has not been specified.

 Sunny Joseph said that the suspension of Rahul Mamkootathil was decided after thorough discussions with the UDF convenor and senior party leaders, emphasizing that the action was based on the Indian National Congress’s firm belief in protecting the dignity and safety of women. He added that the decision was taken unanimously and has already been communicated to Rahul and that he will no longer serve as a Congress legislative member.

 However, Sunny Joseph added that Rahul does not have to resign from his MLA post, as the party did not receive any complaints, and legally no case has been registered against him. “There is no justification or logic to what our political opponents are demanding. There is no such pre-incident in Kerala politics. There have been instances where cases and charge sheets were filed against public representatives, yet they chose not to resign.”

Rahul began his political career as the Youth Congress Periyanad Mandalam president. He later held various positions in KSU, including district president of Pathanamthitta in 2017. He went on to serve as KSU state general secretary, NSU national secretary, and Youth Congress state general secretary before being the state president. He entered the state assembly after winning the Palakkad by-election.

Senior Congress leader and former KPCC president K Muraleedharan said that now it is Mamkootathil to decide whether he should continue as Congress’ elected lawmaker from the Palakkad Assembly constituency.