Protest snowballs against Rahul Mamkootathil

Protests snowballed against Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, following allegations of sexual harassment against him. The BJP has threatened not to allow Mr. Mamkootathil to set foot in Palakkad.

Mahila Morcha workers took out a march to the MLA office here carrying cockerels. Inaugurating the march, BJP State general secretary C. Krishnakumar demanded that Mr. Mamkootathil quit his Assembly membership.

“This is not just an internal Congress issue. Resigning as Youth Congress president is not enough; the party should ensure he also steps down as MLA,” said Mr. Krishnakumar.

He said the situation in Kerala had become so dire that women cannot even step out safely. “Imagine the plight of women if such individuals occupy high-ranking positions,” he said.

The BJP will continue its protest until the MLA steps down. “We will ensure that Mr. Mamkootathil cannot enter Palakkad, and all his programmes will be disrupted,” said Mr. Krishnakumar.

The DYFI too took out a march to the MLA office demanding Mr. Mamkootathil’s resignation as MLA. DYFI district secretary K.C. Riyasudheen inaugurated the march.

CPI(M) district secretary E.N. Suresh Babu said that Mr. Mamkootathil was a shame on Kerala. “What will happen to our land when such people come to its leadership?” he asked.

Mr. Babu said that Mr. Mamkootathil was grown by the channels and reels. He also criticised Shafi Parambil, MP, for his closeness and mentorship of Mr. Mamkootathil.

Meanwhile, the Palakkad municipality requested Mr. Mamkootathil to stay away from the inauguration of the reconstructed municipal bus-stand. V.K. Sreekandan, MP, is to inaugurate the bus-stand on Friday afternoon. Municipal Chairperson Prameela Sasidharan is to preside over the function.

Municipal vice-chairman E. Krishnadas urged the MLA to avoid the inaugural event, warning that his presence would likely spark public protests and overshadow the occasion.

K.K. Surendran, BJP Palakkad zone vice president and State executive member, slammed the Congress leadership for its double standards, questioning why the party allowed Mr. Mamkootathil to remain as MLA.

“If the Congress has any shred of political integrity, KPCC president Sunny Joseph and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan should demand his resignation as MLA,” said Mr. Surendran.

He also called upon Shafi Parambil, MP, who had endorsed Mr. Mamkootathil as his successor, and Priyanka Gandhi, the Wayanad MP, to publicly declare their position on the matter.