Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan says HC staying Rahul Mamkootathil’s arrest is ‘a routine judicial process’

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday (December 6, 2025) dismissed allegations that the police deliberately avoided arresting Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, saying the High Court’s temporary stay on the arrest was nothing more than “a normal judicial procedure.”

Speaking at Vote Vibe – 2025 organised by the Thrissur Press Club, the Chief Minister said: “The High Court stopping the arrest of Mr. Mamkootathil is purely part of the natural process of the court. When a bail plea is pending, it is common practice in Kerala to wait for the court’s decision before making an arrest.”

“The police could not find Rahul. The allegation that they avoided arresting him is wrong. Rahul’s escape is not due to his own ability. The Congress has provided him refuge. His colleagues — Congress workers and leaders — helped him go into hiding. They have ensured his safety even outside Kerala. The Congress knows exactly where Rahul is; it is their responsibility to inform the police,” the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister questioned the MLA’s movements across State borders:

“Why did Rahul go to Karnataka? Who arranged support for him there? Political protection is clearly behind this. He was considered a future investment — that is why such efforts are being taken to shield him,” he said.

‘Jamaat-e-Islami decides UDF agenda’

Mr. Vijayan alleged that the United Democratic Front (UDF) had allowed Jamaat-e-Islami to dictate its politics. “The Jamaat-e-Islami cast their maiden vote itself for the Congress,” he said.

Tracing the organisation’s electoral history, the Chief Minister said: “Jamaat-e-Islami began voting in 1985. In Prabodhanam magazine of 1992, they themselves said they did not support ‘Marxists and fascists’ in the 1987 elections. So it is clear whom they favoured.”

He added: “They voted for the Congress in the elections, yet it was the Congress government at the Centre that banned Jamaat-e-Islami in 1992. That is why they refused to support the Congress in 1996. After that, they adopted various political stances. Between 2006 and 2011, when the V.S. Achuthanandan government was in power, the anti-Left front was led by their youth wing, Solidarity.”

Mr. Vijayan emphasised that the Left had never relied on the organisation for political gain. “At no point have we needed Jamaat-e-Islami’s support, nor have we given them any certificate of approval. Today, however, it is Jamaat-e-Islami that decides the UDF’s agenda. For a handful of votes and two seats, the UDF is ready to ally with anyone. If possible, they would even align with the BJP.”

The Chief Minister asserted that there was no difference of opinion within the LDF regarding PM-SHRI scheme or labour codes.