CPI(M) diverting attention from Sabarimala gold theft case by highlighting charges against Mamkootathil, says Chennithala

Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has claimed that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is trying to divert attention from the Sabarimala gold theft case by highlighting the charges of sexual misconduct levelled against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.

Addressing a ‘Meet-the-leader’ event organised by the Calicut Press Club ahead of the local body polls here on Saturday, he denied media reports suggesting a rift within the Congress over the allegations against Mr. Mamkootathil.

“The case is related to an individual, which does not affect the people at large. The party unanimously took action against Mr. Mamkootathil by suspending him from its primary membership and then from the Congress Legislature Party. He has also resigned from the post of the Youth Congress State president. The law will take its own course,” Mr. Chennithala said. He also refuted the charge that the Congress had officially engaged Mr. Mamkootathil for campaigning in Palakkad.

The Congress leader, meanwhile, alleged that the Left Democratic Front (LDF), on the other hand, was a den of guilty people. “There are more severe charges against M. Mukesh, MLA. A. Padmakumar, former MLA, and N. Vasu, former president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, are in jail related to Sabarimala gold theft case. The CPI(M) has not taken any action against these people,” he said.

Welfare Party tie-up

Asked about the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) “tie-up” with the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind-backed Welfare Party of India for the local body polls, Mr. Chennithala said that the Congress-led coalition had no alliance anywhere with that party. However, in certain places, the UDF was cooperating with certain individuals and local groups. He said that the CPI(M) had no right to criticise the UDF over this as it had earlier solicited the votes of the JeH, the Social Democratic Party of India, and the People’s Democratic Party led by Abdul Nasir Maudany. The Congress leader also alleged that the CPI(M) was appeasing the majority community and tarnishing the minorities because the latter had not voted for it in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.