Mamkootathil's reappearance was reportedly the outcome of consultations with a few senior leaders, although the Congress leadership had not explicitly directed him to attend the session.
Published Sep 15, 2025 | 11:24 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 15, 2025 | 11:24 AM
Rahul Mamkootathil. (Facebook)
Synopsis: The suspense surrounding the appearance of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil at the Kerala Assembly came to an end after he walked into the House for the first day of the 14th session. Mamkootathil’s reappearance was reportedly the outcome of consultations with a few senior leaders, although the Congress leadership had not explicitly directed him to attend the session.
The suspense surrounding the appearance of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil at the Kerala Assembly came to an end on Monday, 15 September, as he walked into the House at 9.20 am, marking his first public outing since sexual harassment allegations rocked his political career.
Mamkootathil, who was suspended from the Congress’s primary membership and from the Congress Legislative Party and was also forced to step down as Youth Congress state president after the allegations, arrived in the Assembly along with the Youth Congress district president.
He had left his Adoor residence in the early hours, making a quiet yet calculated return to public life. For weeks, Rahul had been absent from constituency events and avoided public programmes, confining himself to his home in Adoor.
Mamkootathil’s reappearance was reportedly the outcome of consultations with a few senior leaders, although the Congress leadership had not explicitly directed him to attend the session.
With the Speaker informed of his suspension, Mamkootathil has been asked to occupy a separate block in the opposition benches. Despite the Crime Branch’s ongoing probe into the allegations, there is no legal barrier preventing him from taking part in Assembly proceedings.
The first day of the 14th session is largely ceremonial, with the House paying tributes to former chief minister VS Achuthanandan, former speaker PP Thankachan, and Peerumedu MLA Vazhoor Soman.
Speaker AN Shamseer and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan led the House in paying respects, highlighting Achuthanandan’s lasting contributions to lawmaking, gender justice, and environmental conservation.
The Assembly will be in session for 12 days, from 10 September to 19 September, 29 and 30 September, and 6 October to 10 October.
Even though short, the upcoming session promises to be politically charged, with both the ruling front and the Opposition entering the House armed with burning issues. Mamkootathil’s presence has added another layer of intrigue to what already promises to be a stormy session.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
