Rahul Mamkootathil has deepened fissures within the Congress and handed the ruling LDF a potential advantage.
Published Sep 13, 2025 | 4:57 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 13, 2025 | 4:57 PM
Rahul Mamkootathil. (Facebook)
Synopsis: The 14th session of Kerala’s 15th Legislative Assembly begins Monday amid tension over Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil’s sexual misconduct allegations and Congress suspension. His potential attendance divides the Opposition, with LoP VD Satheesan barring him, while others defend his rights. Speaker AN Shamseer faces a constitutional dilemma as the UDF’s strategy against the LDF risks being overshadowed by internal rifts.
Suspense hangs heavy over the 14th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly, set to begin on Monday — all because of one man: Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.
Accused of sexual misconduct and suspended from the Congress Legislative Party (CLP), his possible presence in the House has snowballed into a political storm.
Adding fresh drama to the Assembly floor, the uneasiness surrounding Mamkootathil has not only left the Congress deeply divided, but has also posed constitutional and procedural questions to the Speaker’s office.
On Saturday, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) VD Satheesan formally handed over a brief note to Speaker’s office, confirming that Mamkootathil remained debarred from the CLP.
The letter, it’s learnt, stopped short of explaining the reasons behind the suspension but made it clear that the Palakkad legislator was no longer part of the Congress bloc.
“It is the prerogative of the Chair to decide his seating and the nature of his participation in House business, including questions, submissions and debates,” the note reportedly stated.
The Speaker’s office said Mamkootathil had not applied for leave till Saturday evening, leaving his attendance on the opening day of the session an open question.
At the same time, Speaker AN Shamseer is expected to clarify the procedural roadmap at a press conference on Sunday.
Satheesan, speaking to reporters in Ernakulam, struck a firm tone when asked if Rahul will attend or not.
“It is a closed chapter. I have nothing more to say,” he remarked, reiterating that the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leadership had taken a “collective and unanimous” decision to suspend the MLA.
He hinted that KPCC president Sunny Joseph would provide further clarification if needed.
But Joseph himself, who is both KPCC chief and an MLA, has taken a markedly different line.
He has publicly insisted that Mamkootathil is well within his rights to attend the Assembly, stressing that the Speaker has a constitutional duty to ensure the presence and participation of all elected members.
UDF convenor Adoor Prakash and senior leader K Muraleedharan have echoed the sentiment, underlining that suspension from the party does not amount to suspension from the legislature.
This divergence has laid bare a rift within the Congress: one camp, led by Satheesan, prefers Mamkootathil’s absence, fearing that his presence will overshadow the Opposition’s ammunition against the government.
The other, represented by Joseph and his allies, argues that forcing him to stay away would set a dangerous precedent and project weakness at a time when the Opposition is gearing up to corner the government on multiple issues.
The Congress-led UDF enters this Assembly session with what insiders describe as “a full arsenal” against the ruling LDF — from police atrocities, multiple corruption allegations, revelations within the Left camp and others.
Yet, the Palakkad MLA’s controversy threatens to steal the spotlight.
Some within the UDF worry that if Mamkootathil takes his seat, the focus will shift from the government’s failings to the Opposition’s internal troubles.
Others counter that keeping him away will embolden critics. They alleged that the Left is playing double standards, pointing out that treasury bench members with far graver allegations against them continue to function without disruption.
“The moment we ask him to absent himself, we are sending a message that he had committed something wrong. Now only allegations are there. There are no concrete evidence against him nor any solid complaints. If he asks him to stay away that is a slippery slope, and it weakens our own position,” said a Congress leader.
Complicating matters further is the stance of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), which has threatened to physically prevent Mamkootathil from entering the Assembly.
Sunny Joseph has condemned the threat, calling it an attack on democratic principles and insisting that the Speaker must guarantee every member’s right to be present.
For Speaker Shamseer, the challenge is twofold: maintaining order in the House while upholding the constitutional protections afforded to legislators.
His Sunday press conference is expected to shed light on whether Mamkootathil will be allotted a separate seat or if further procedural steps will be taken.
As Monday approaches, the suspense continues. Will Rahul Mamkootathil walk into the Assembly chamber, daring both his critics and the party that has distanced itself from him?
Or will he stay away, allowing the UDF to press its case against the government without distraction?
Whichever way the script unfolds, one fact is already clear: the controversy has deepened fissures within the Congress and handed the ruling front a potential advantage.
At a time when unity of purpose is crucial for the Opposition, the Palakkad MLA has become both its biggest liability and its most difficult test.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
