Defending Mamkootathil embarrasses Congress, says Youth Cong. leader

The Congress has found itself in political quicksand following the resurfacing of details of alleged sexual misconduct involving Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil. 

Though senior party leaders, including All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary K.C. Venugopal and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, attempted to insulate the party, which is engaged in an all-out battle to ensure victory in the local body polls, from the political embarrassment caused by the recent revelations, many others in the organisation are worried about the possible fallout of the developments on the poll prospects of the party and the United Democratic Front (UDF). 

Several senior leaders are miffed about the fact that the resurfacing of the allegations on the day the party’s poll manifesto was released had shifted the focus of the party’s poll campaign. It also placed the party on the defensive.  

Meanwhile, Sajna B. Sajan, a Youth Congress leader, hit out at Mr. Mamkootathil and demanded that he resign from the organisation. Ms. Sajan demanded in her social media post that such “psychopaths be expelled from the organisation forever.” She said this was not the time for Congress workers to deal with the allegations of sexual misconduct by its legislator.

Later, Ms. Sajan said the party workers, who were campaigning for the party candidates in the local body polls, needed to be saved from the humiliating situation of needing to respond to the allegations raised against Mr. Mamkoottathil. He should avoid attending party functions and public meetings and save the organisation from further political damage, she said.

The party might need his support as a legislator from Palakkad district. However, his appearance in public events and meetings would harm the organisation. “It’s a fact that the party has suspended him from the organisation. He shall be expelled from the primary membership in the best interest of the organisation,” she said.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Satheesan wondered whether the party could take action twice against the MLA, as the party had already suspended him after the allegations surfaced.

A defiant Mr. Mamkoottathil earlier stated that he had not violated any laws of the land and said he would cooperate with any investigation.