'Sleaze chat' row: Congress suspends Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil; 'told to stay away' from next assembly polls

Rajiv G / TNN / Updated: Aug 25, 2025, 12:01 IST

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As a face saving measure the Congress leadership in the state suspended its Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil from the primary membership. The suspension has come based on the sexual misconduct allegations against him.Even though there has been a demand for the resignation from the MLA post, the party leadership decided against it to avoid a bypoll in Palakkad. Rahul Mamkootathil had earlier resigned from the state youth congress president post. With the suspension from the primary membership of the party Rahul will no longer be a member of the Congress parliamentary party. As a result he will not be able to sit with the UDF members in the ensuing Assembly session which is scheduled in September. There are also reports that the party leadership has asked Rahul to stay away from the next Assembly election.

Poll

Do you agree with the Congress leadership's decision to suspend Rahul Mamkootathil instead of asking for his resignation?

Yes, it's a wise decision.No, they should have demanded his resignation.

The senior leaders had earlier demanded his resignation from the MLA post. However the party leadership was feared of a debacle if there is a bypoll at this juncture in Palakkad. The Assembly bypoll in the state is expected in April or May next year and hence the party was not ready to face a defeat now.Hence it was decided to avoid such an embarassing situation for the party. Hence the KPCC leadership to go ahead with the disciplinary action against him within the party.

About the AuthorRajiv G

Rajiv G is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India, bringing over two decades of journalistic experience and editorial expertise to the newsroom. He began his journey in 1998 with The Indian Express in Coimbatore before moving on to Deccan Chronicle in Hyderabad and later The New Indian Express in Hyderabad and Bangalore, and later in Kerala where he spent a decade covering some of the most defining stories. Since joining The Times of India in 2011, Rajiv has been at the forefront of reporting on Kerala’s health and political landscape. His sustained coverage of the health sector since 2005 has contributed to public awareness and policy discourse, while his political reporting since 2008 has provided readers with sharp, well-informed perspectives. His work has been widely recognized, earning him honors from the Indian Medical Association, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association, and the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association. He was also conferred the *Best Reporter Award* by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club, where he has held leadership roles as Secretary and President.

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