Thiruvananthapuram: A day after Rahul Mamkootathil stepped down because the Kerala Youth Congress president amid allegations of sexual misconduct by a number of ladies, the celebration’s state unit Friday mentioned an inside panel will probe the costs in opposition to the Palakkad MLA.

The ruling CPI(M) and the BJP, nevertheless, proceed to demand his resignation as MLA. “The allegations in opposition to Rahul Mamkootathil (35) are critical and really hardly ever heard in Kerala. He has to resign from the MLA publish. The Congress’s publish shouldn’t be elected. However his MLA publish is democratically elected and he has an ethical accountability to step down,” Kerala Common Training Minister V. Sivankutty informed the media Friday.

However, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) management mentioned there are not any official complaints but from any lady for him to resign. “The CPIM and the BJP can’t demand resignation from the Congress. We’ve got many examples of them defending the accused in related circumstances,” Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief Sunny Joseph mentioned Friday.

A senior Congress chief, nevertheless, did say Mamkootathil faces criticism inside the celebration too for being “immature” and snapping at colleagues.

“He might have been one of many celebration’s faces within the marketing campaign in opposition to Pinarayi Vijayan within the Meeting polls. He’s fearless and has that vitality of a teen. However he ought to have been extra cautious,” the chief informed ThePrint, requesting anonymity.

He added the celebration’s excessive command and even youth Congress members within the state are upset in regards to the controversy.

In the meantime, KPCC disciplinary committee chairperson Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan informed The Hindu a KPCC panel will probe the allegations in opposition to Rahul Mamkootathil. He mentioned the celebration’s nationwide management would announce the composition of the inquiry panel.

ThePrint reached Chief of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan however he refused to touch upon the matter.

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Controversy and resignation

The controversy got here to gentle Wednesday after actress and former journalist Rini Ann George claimed {that a} “younger political chief from a outstanding political celebration” had despatched her obscene messages and invited her to a lodge. She alleged the chief made related advances to many different ladies she knew, although they have been hesitant to return ahead.

Although she didn’t title him, hypothesis mounted that she was referring to Rahul Mamkootathil.

A day later, author Honey Bhaskaran alleged Mamkootathil contacted her through Instagram and made inappropriate advances. Quickly after, a number of allegations surfaced on social media, together with an audio clip of an alleged dialog through which the MLA was purportedly heard pressuring a lady to bear an abortion.

A trans lady alos accused the Palakkad MLA of sexual harassment.

Amid the swirling fees, Mamkootathil give up as Kerala Youth Congress president Thursday. Saying his resignation, Mamkootathil mentioned he shared a very good friendship with Rini and didn’t suppose she was referring to him.

“If there’s an official criticism, I’ll show my innocence in court docket. I had a very good relationship with the younger actress who raised the criticism. Even now, we share a very good friendship. I nonetheless don’t consider she was talking about me. The complainant has not talked about my title,” Mamkootathil mentioned.

He additionally mentioned the celebration excessive command had not requested him to resign.

Previous controversies 

Among the many fashionable younger Congress leaders within the state, Rahul Mamkootathil is thought in Kerala for his lively social media presence and for taking up political opponents on-line.

For example, throughout the Nilambur bypoll, when the Congress confronted flak over the candidature of former MLA P. V. Anvar, he posted that the CPM ought to area its fashionable face M. Swaraj. Sarcastically, Mamkootathil himself courted controversy by later assembly Anvar privately, even because the Congress management distanced itself from him.

Anvar, the LDF-backed unbiased MLA from Nilambur, had expressed curiosity in becoming a member of the UDF after resigning and declaring an open conflict with the LDF. Nonetheless, the Congress management grew cautious after Anvar repeatedly attacked Opposition Chief V. D. Satheesan and Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath in a number of press conferences. This ultimately led the celebration to sever ties with Anvar.

The CPM went on to area Swaraj, although he misplaced to the Congress candidate.

Hailing from Pathanamthitta district, Rahul Mamkootathil’s political journey started throughout his undergraduate years with the Kerala College students’ Union (KSU), the coed wing of the Congress.

He went on to carry varied positions in KSU and the Nationwide College students’ Union of India (NSUI), along with being a member of the KKPCC. He turned state president of the youth Congress in 2023.

He contested his first election in 2024 for the Palakkad bypoll, after the seat fell vacant when incumbent MLA Shafi Parambil was elected to the Lok Sabha from Vadakara. A detailed aide of Shafi, one other fashionable younger Congress face, Rahul Mamkootathil was fielded on the Shafi’s suggestion.

Shafi had vouched for Mamkootathil in a number of interviews, and each shared shut relations with V. D. Satheesan.

The announcement, nevertheless, brought on rumblings inside the celebration. Palakkad Congress chief P. Sarin, who additionally headed the celebration’s social media staff, rebelled overtly in opposition to the candidature and joined the Left.

Amid the rift, Mamkootathil received the seat with a margin of 18,840 votes, securing 58,389 votes in opposition to BJP’s C. Krishnakumar (39,549) and LDF candidate P. Sarin (37,156).

“Shafi-Rahul’s wing had gained a lot recognition that it even overshadowed senior leaders. But it surely labored effectively among the many cadres and children, so the management supported it too,” mentioned the Congress chief quoted earlier.

Kerala is headed for Meeting elections in 2026.

(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)

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