Kerala: Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil suspended from party after sexual misconduct allegations

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 25, 2025: The Congress party on Monday suspended its Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who has been accused of obscene conduct by writer Honey Bhaskaran and model Rini Ann George.

Mamkootathil, who faces an internal party inquiry over the allegations, had earlier resigned from the post of state president of the Youth Congress.

On Sunday, the Congress in Kerala said an appropriate decision would be made on Rahul Mamkootathil after discussions among its senior leaders. This came as the party faced mounting pressure from within the party and opponents calling for the resignation of Rahul.

Later the same day, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), carried out a protest march in Kerala’s Palakkad, demanding Mamkootathil’s resignation.

News agency ANI quoted BJP Council Party leader from Kozhikode Corporation in Kerala, Navya Haridas, as saying that there have been several more allegations against Mamkootathil.

The Mahila Morcha State President alleged that many women and even transgender persons have levelled sexual harassment complaints against the Palakkad MLA.

“There are many allegations against the current Palakkad MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil. It’s not a complaint from one woman, there are so many women complaining against him based on sexual harassment," Haridas told ANI.

“More shocking events are coming when that list includes transgender individuals as well. So, these are not baseless allegations against Rahul, all these allegations are coming with proof, with a chat history, with voice messages and everything."

BJP leader V Muraleedharan also demanded Mamkootathil’s resignation over the allegations. He further alleged that the Congress party is trying to protect the MLA.

Actress and model Rini Ann George accused the Congress MLA of sending her offensive messages on multiple occasions and inviting her to a hotel.

George stated that when she threatened to inform his party, the leader challenged her to do so. She, however, did not disclose the leader’s name or party.

George claimed she had informed the party leadership about the incident, alleging that wives and daughters of several politicians had faced similar experiences with the leader.