Kerala Speaker’s office receives letter stating Rahul Mamkootathil remains debarred from CLP

Office of the Kerala Legislative Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer confirmed on Saturday (September 13, 2025) that it had received a letter from the Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan, stating that Palakkad legislator Rahul Mamkootathil, who is facing accusations of sexual misconduct, remained debarred from the Congress Legislative Party (CLP). 

An official attached to the Speaker’s office said Mr. Satheesan’s missive was brief and did not attribute any reason for the decision. “Mr. Mamkootathil is no longer part of the Congress bloc. It is the prerogative of the Chair to decide Mr. Mamkootathil’s seating and the nature of his participation in the House business, including fielding questions, submissions and participating in debates now that the Palakkad MLA lacked a bloc,” he said. The office said Mr. Mamkootathil had not applied for leave as of Saturday (September 13, 2025). 

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Ernakulam, Mr. Satheesan sidestepped the question of whether Mr. Mamkootathil would attend the Assembly session commencing on Monday. “It is a closed chapter. I have nothing more to say,” he commented. 

Mr. Satheesan said the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) leaders had taken a “collective and unanimous” decision to suspend Mr. Mamkootathil from the party after the accusations surfaced in the public domain. “KPCC president had announced the decision. He will issue further clarification if the situation warrants.” 

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However, at least three senior leaders, including the KPCC president, Sunny Joseph, MLA, had signalled that they saw nothing amiss in Mr. Mamkootathil discharging his duties as an MLA in the Assembly. 

Mr. Joseph said on Friday (September 12, 2025) Mr. Mamkootathil was well within his rights to attend the Assembly if the latter chose so. United Democratic Front (UDF) convenor, Adoor Prakash, and former KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan, had echoed a similar sentiment.  

When asked about the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) ‘s threat to prevent Mr. Mamkootathil from setting foot in the Assembly, Mr. Joseph had said the Speaker was constitutionally bound to protect legislators and ensure their attendance in the House. 

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The KPCC had earlier pointed out that several MLAs, from both sides of the political spectrum, who faced similar charges, attended the Assembly.

A Congress insider said the party had “hinted” to Mr. Mamkootathil that the choice was the latter’s and the party would not issue any ultimatum since the Palakkad MLA technically remained outside the ambit of organisational diktats.

“The ruling front and the Opposition legislators facing comparable charges remained members of their respective Parliamentary parties, unlike Mr. Mamkootathil, who lacked a political bloc for now,” he noted.