Pressure mounts, but Rahul Mamkootathil to continue as legislator

Amid reports of mounting pressure within the party for his resignation, Palakkad Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil has made it clear that he will not step down from his MLA post.

Earlier on Saturday, Mr. Mamkootathil stated that resignation was not even under consideration. Despite no formal complaints being filed against him, he had voluntarily stepped down from the position of the Youth Congress State president. However, he emphasised that there was no circumstance that warranted giving up his MLA seat.

Meanwhile, his residence at Nellimukal, near Addor, became the centre of speculation in the evening, following reports that he would hold a press conference. As these reports fuelled further rumours about his imminent resignation from the legislator post, the event was cancelled at the last minute.

To clarify stance

Party sources said Mr. Mamkootathil had initially convened the press conference to clarify his stance on not resigning as MLA but had to withdraw following directions from the party leadership. “The Pradesh Congress Committee leadership was clearly unhappy over his earlier press conference two days ago, in which he announced his resignation as the Youth Congress State president. The leaders believed that a similar attempt to defend himself publicly now could cause more harm to the party,” said a senior Congress leader from Pathanamthitta.

Meanwhile, pressure for Mr. Mamkootathil’s resignation continues to grow, with a section of the Congress demanding that he step down as MLA. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan too appears to have distanced himself from the leader amid the increasing number of allegations against him.