Kerala Assembly Debate: Support Grows for Mamkootathil Amid Allegations

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 1 (PTI) - As the Kerala Assembly's next session approaches, more senior Congress leaders have publicly expressed support for Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil to attend the session, which is set to commence on September 15. Mamkootathil faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which led to his resignation as the youth congress state president and subsequent suspension from the Congress party. However, the ruling CPI(M) and the BJP are adamantly demanding his resignation as MLA.

Notable Congress figures such as UDF convenor Adoor Prakash and veteran leader M M Hassan have already voiced their support. Adding to these voices, senior Congress leader and former minister K Muraleedharan stated on Monday that there is no reason Mamkootathil should be prevented from participating in the assembly session.

Muraleedharan expressed doubt that the ruling LDF members would resort to any physical confrontation with Mamkootathil if he attends the session. "When he arrives at the House (this time), he is an unattached member. The Speaker is the one who will take all decisions regarding his participation," Muraleedharan noted.

He speculated that the most the LDF members might do is produce mocking sounds when Mamkootathil gets up to speak. "If they do so, the UDF members would also reciprocate against Left legislator Mukesh or forest minister A K Saseendran, who also faced similar allegations," he added. Muraleedharan emphasized that Mamkootathil has the right to participate in the session, especially as there is no written complaint or arrest against him. "There is nothing wrong for him to take part in the session," he concluded.

Former UDF convenor M M Hassan also backed Mamkootathil, asserting that as an MLA, he has the right to attend the assembly sessions. Hassan criticized the ruling CPI(M) for attempting to capitalize politically on the allegations against Mamkootathil while overlooking allegations involving their own members. Hassan underlined that while Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan have called for Mamkootathil's resignation and planned protests, no similar demand was made when similar allegations were levelled against their own colleagues.

Hassan clarified that whether Congress will protect Mamkootathil is irrelevant since he is suspended from the party, and decisions will be left to the parliamentary party leaders. Troubles for Mamkootathil started when Malayalam actress Rini Ann George accused an unnamed young leader of misbehavior, prompting further accusations from other women and a transgender person.

The fourteenth session of the fifteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin on September 15.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)