Odds appear stacked against Mamkootathil as more leaders join the chorus for his expulsion from the Congress

The odds appeared stacked against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on Wednesday, with a growing chorus of Congress leaders demanding the expulsion of the legislator, who is battling charges of serial sexual predation and misconduct, from the party and his resignation from elected office.

Former KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran told The Hindu that Mr Mamkootathil’s continuation as MLA had become morally untenable after another set of accusations, including rape, surfaced against him in the public domain.

UDF convener Adoor Prakash said the party had received a new set of accusations of rape against Mr. Mamkootathil, rendering the issue more complicated. “We have made a decision, which the party will communicate at the appropriate time”, he said 

KPCC president Sunny Joseph said the party would act at the right time. “However, whether a Congress worker facing disciplinary action should renounce an elected position was the individual’s choice”, he added.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) also appeared keen not to allow the sexual misconduct swirling around Mr Mamkootathil to weigh down the Opposition local body poll campaign.

 However, the party also signalled that any action against Mr Mamkootathil, including expulsion and issuance of a writ for his resignation as party MLA, would hinge on whether the court granted him anticipatory bail on Thursday. 

A party insider said an adverse decision would help the KPCC leadership to justify its “impending action” before Mr Mamkootathil’s backers in the party. 

Mr Mamkootathil’s supporters had expressed their ire at the media for projecting questions about Mr Mamkootathil’s continuation in the party to senior leader Ramesh Chennithala in the MLA’s constituency in Palakkad. 

Mr Chennithala, who appeared to be at pains to hush party workers during his brief interaction with the media, stated that the party would take the right decision at the right time.

AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal told reporters in Palakkad that the Congress would uphold its dignity by taking the necessary action. Mr Venugopal said that serious action was under way and requested that journalists “wait”. 

Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan dared CPI(M) to suspend its leaders accused in the Sabarimala gold theft case, as the Congress had done in Mr Mamkootathil’s case in August.

Congress leader Shama Mohamed described Mr Mamkootathil as a sexual predator. She called for his immediate expulsion and resignation as an MLA. She stated that the party’s national leadership was flooded with complaints of repeated sexual misconduct against Mr Mamkootathil. Congress leader Shanimol Usman and Bindu Krishna said they have not withdrawn their demand for Mr Mamkootathil’s removal as a party MLA. 

Former KPCC president K. Muraleedharan quoted a Malayalam adage that the party should “throw out smouldering sticks and those who keep it smoking”.