Rahul Mamkoottathil apologises to public, party workers amid resignation rumours

Pathanamthitta (Kerala) | Palakkad Congress MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil on Sunday apologised to the public and party workers amid rumours that he may resign from his legislator post following allegations of "misbehaviour" by multiple women.

Addressing reporters at his residence in Adoor, Pathanamthitta, Mamkoottathil refrained from commenting on his possible resignation, but played an audio clip sent to him by a transgender person, who had recently accused him of sending "lewd" WhatsApp messages.

"I never wished that any party worker would bow their head to justify me. I have to face this situation as I have always justified the party's merits on news-media platforms, in the media, and during protests. But it is unacceptable to me that my party workers have to bow their heads due to me," he said.

Mamkoottathil claimed that the transgender had contacted him and spoken about a conversation she had with a reporter.

According to him, the transgender first contacted him and told him about a telephonic conversation with a news reporter.

He claimed that the transgender told him that a reporter had contacted her to ask about any misbehaviour from his side, and later she sent the call recording of the conversation.

He then played the audio clip during the press conference. In the recording, a voice purportedly belonging to the transgender is heard denying any misbehavior from Mamkoottathil and describing him as a good friend.

Referring to the transgender's claim that her life was under threat, Mamkoottathil said, "If such a situation existed, she would not have revealed it. She would not have sent the voice clip to me. I am not blaming her. She is my friend."

Explaining the delay in responding to the allegations, he said, "I am a human, I have my own feelings and emotions. I am a person who didn’t want to put my party in a defensive position. I have defended this party several times. I apologise to my party workers who have to defend me.

"Several people who care about me are frequently in touch with me. I am unable to attend some of their calls. There are several people who support me. There are several who are accusing me. Some are criticising me. Some are sad about me. I can only apologise to them for such a situation."

Mamkoottathil currently faces an internal party inquiry after actress Rini Ann George accused "a young leader" of a prominent political party of misbehaviour.

Protests by the BJP and DYFI had earlier forced him to resign as the state president of the Youth Congress.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) is the youth wing of the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala.

Will take appropriate decision at right time: Congress in Kerala on Rahul Mamkootathil

Thiruvananthapuram | Facing mounting pressure from within the party and opponents calling for the resignation of Rahul Mamkootathil as MLA, the Congress in Kerala said on Sunday that an appropriate decision would be made after discussions among its senior leaders.

Both Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph and senior party leader K Muraleedharan took this stand while responding to queries from reporters on whether any action was contemplated against Mamkootathil, the MLA from Palakkad.

Joseph said that he and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly V D Satheesan will speak to other senior leaders of the party and views of everyone will be considered before arriving at an appropriate decision at the right time.

"When we arrive at such a decision it will be communicated officially," he told reporters.

This was his stand to all queries from reporters regarding whether Mamkootathil will be asked to resign and what were the views expressed by senior party leaders in Kerala.

Muraleedharan took a similar stand while addressing the media earlier in the day.

At the same time, he also said that some recent audio clippings that have come out in connection with the allegations against the Palakkad MLA, "make the matter more serious".

His statement comes in the wake of TV channels airing audio clips of a purported conversation between Mamkootathil and a woman.

"The party will take a stand. It will happen soon," Muraleedharan added.

He further said that the party's decision will not be based on the fact that CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh, facing sexual harassment allegations, has not yet resigned as a legislator.

He also said that he does not believe there is any need for an election in Palakkad in the current situation and added that if the LDF does not want a BJP legislator from there, the saffron party will not win that assembly seat.

Later in the day, Congress general secretary and Alappuzha MP K C Venugopal expressed a similar view by saying that it was a serious issue and the party will soon take a decision.

He said that the party took action in the first 24 hours since the incident by making sure Mamkootathil resigned as the state president of the Youth Congress.

"Senior leaders of the party in Kerala are seriously considering the matter and there will be a decision soon," he said.

On the other hand, party MLA Uma Thomas, wife of late Congress stalwart P T Thomas, said that Mamkootathil should resign as a legislator.

She said that she expected him to resign by now.

"The people elected him as an MLA and in these circumstances, he should have resigned on moral grounds," the MLA from Thrikkakara assembly constituency told a TV channel.

She further said that if the accusations were wrong, Mamkootathil should have immediately filed a defamation case.

"That was not done. Silence is not right," she added.

The responses from the senior Congress leaders come amidst reports that Satheesan and senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala are in favour of Mamkootathil's resignation.

Satheesan, a day ago, had said that the party was examining the issue "very seriously" and would act if required.

Mamkootathil, who faces an internal party inquiry after actress Rini Ann George accused "a young leader" of a well-known political party of misbehaviour and subsequent protests by BJP and DYFI, had resigned from the post of state president of the Youth Congress.