Expelled leader Rahul Mamkootathil’s association with Congress workers exposes rift in Pathanamthitta unit

Nearly a year after Rahul Mamkootathil was expelled from the Congress, his continued association with party workers has trigerred an infighting within the party in Pathanamthitta, with leaders at loggerheads over whether to stand by the former Palakkad MLA.

The latest flashpoint is the clash between Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Youth Congress workers at Adoor General Hospital on Saturday night, in which Mr. Mamkootathil has been arraigned as an accused. Pathanamthitta District Congress Committee (DCC) president Satish Kochuparambil threw his weight behind the expelled leader in the aftermath, describing him as a Congress worker at heart. But the endorsement has drawn sharp objections from a section of district leaders and workers, who oppose any show of support for Mr. Mamkootathil, who had been expelled over allegations of sexual abuse of women.

Goes public

The simmering discontent spilled into the open on Tuesday, when Adoor Block Congress president Abid Shaheem publicly disowned Mr. Mamkootathil, making it clear that the former MLA could no longer claim to represent the party.

“Rahul Mamkootathil has a few friends here and they might have stood with him in that capacity. I was the State general secretary of the Youth Congress when he held the same position in the organisation. He later became the Youth Congress president and then a legislator. Following certain issues, he was expelled from the party after an inquiry,” Mr. Shaheem said.

He rejected any suggestion that the Congress in Adoor depended on Mr. Mamkootathil, pointing to its network of mandalam presidents, DCC office-bearers and booth presidents.

“If Mr. Mamkootathil is a member of the party, he can cooperate with it. But as long as he is not a member, he is not a Congress worker. If anyone comes to attack our party or workers, we will give them an appropriate response, whether physically or through legal means,” Mr. Shaheem said, adding that the Congress would protect Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) and Youth Congress workers.

The blunt remarks have left the district leadership on the back foot, with senior leaders appearing keen to avoid being drawn into the dispute. Mr. Kochuparambil, meanwhile, could not be reached for comment.

Rejects suggestion

Mr. Mamkootathil, for his part, took to social media to reject the suggestion that he wielded influence over either the Congress or the police in Adoor.

“The Congress in Adoor is controlled by the Adoor legislator and the KPCC, DCC and block-level leaders from Adoor. Not me. The police in Adoor listen to the SP, DySP, CI and other police personnel. Not me,” he wrote.

He also defended his decision to stand by party workers despite his expulsion, saying his commitment to them remained unchanged. “If my colleagues face any problem, I have clearly stated that I will stand with them, even at the cost of my life,” he added.