Rahul Mamkootathil had recently resigned as the Kerala state chief of the Youth Congress after being embroiled in multiple misconduct allegations against women.
Published Aug 25, 2025 | 11:12 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 25, 2025 | 1:52 PM
File photo of Kerala Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil. (RahulMamkootathilBrigades/Facebook)
Synopsis: Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has been suspended from the primary membership of the Congress. With the suspension, he will no longer be part of the Congress parliamentary party meetings.
Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who recently resigned as the Kerala state chief of the Youth Congress after being embroiled in multiple misconduct allegations against women, has been suspended from the primary membership of the Congress.
The move came after mounting pressure from within the party, following revelations by actress Rini Ann George, writer Honey Bhaskaran and trans woman Avantika, as well as other complaints reaching the central leadership.
Mamkootathil had earlier made it clear he would not step down as an MLA. With the suspension, he will no longer be part of the Congress parliamentary party meetings.
In a brief but significant press interaction on Monday, 25 August, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Sunny Joseph confirmed the suspension.
Joseph, however, remained non-committal on the duration of the suspension, stating that the decision was taken after detailed consultations with senior leaders, the state leadership, and the UDF convener.
“The party has taken the allegations against Rahul very seriously. After deliberations, we arrived at a unanimous decision to suspend him. The decision has also been communicated to Rahul,” Sunny said.
Addressing demands from rival parties for Mamkootathil’s resignation as MLA, Sunny retorted: “Neither has the Congress received a complaint against him, nor has any police station registered a case. Those demanding his resignation must first recall that their own leaders refused to step down despite facing FIRs and serious cases. Their criticism holds no ground.”
The KPCC chief underscored that Congress has always upheld the dignity and security of women, stressing that the disciplinary action reflects this commitment. He also clarified that Mamkootathil will not be part of the Congress parliamentary party until further notice.
However, Joseph sidestepped questions on the recent cyberattacks against MLA Uma Thomas, who had openly demanded Rahul’s resignation from the Assembly.
Congress party sources indicated that his presence in the upcoming Assembly session, beginning in September, is uncertain, as he may go on leave. The suspension came amid uproar within the Congress, especially after an audio clip allegedly linked to Mamkootathil surfaced on social media.
Earlier, while announcing his resignation as Kerala Youth Congress chief, Mamkootathil had said it was not the Congress party’s job to defend him.
Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan said that the Congress has set a new precedent in Kerala politics by acting swiftly and firmly against Mamkootathil.
“Unlike the CPI(M) and BJP, the Congress chose to protect the self-respect of women rather than shield its leaders. Action was taken after consultations, without waiting for formal complaints. This will be marked in Kerala’s political history,” Satheesan told reporters in Thiruvalla.
He said that while CPI(M) leaders, despite facing serious charges, continue in power, Congress acted without hesitation. “Even after FIRs, CPI(M) leaders remain in their positions. None of their women leaders demanding Rahul’s resignation have asked for action against their own accused leaders,” he pointed out.
Satheesan also accused the CPI(M) of unleashing cyberattacks against women and journalists in the past, and said the Congress stands firmly against such abuse. “Attacking women online is a kind of mania. Congress is clear that no woman should be subjected to such attacks,” he added.
According to him, the party’s decision is the boldest step taken in the recent political history of Kerala, and should be recognised as such.
Other senior leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala and VM Sudheeran, demanded Mamkootathil’s resignation, warning of damage to the party’s image. Women Congress leaders Uma Thomas and Shanimol Usman also called on him to stay away from active politics.
Despite being isolated in the party, Mamkootathil rejected the calls for his resignation, releasing purported chats and conversations to defend himself. For now, the Congress leadership has stopped short of pressurising him to resign as MLA, wary of triggering a bye-election that could politically benefit the BJP and CPI(M).
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
