Mammootty sparks political row by asking CPM leader to step aside during visit to Wayanad township

A political storm emerged in Kerala following Malayalam actor Mammootty’s visit to the newly-built rehabilitation township for landslide survivors in Wayanad on Saturday. The actor set off a controversy by asking CPM’s Wayanad district secretary K Rafeeq to not stay by his side.

The actor, generally considered a fellow traveller of the CPM, asked Rafeeq why he was standing close to him and said people might think he had come there for the ruling party.

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In the visuals, Rafeeq can be seen beside the actor. Mammootty asked him to step aside as the public might think he had come at the party’s behest.“Why are you always standing beside me? (Public) might think I have come at your (CPM ‘s ) behest”, he said.

Following this, the actor faced intense online attacks allegedly from Left-leaning social media handles. Many came out against the actor and called his actions “inappropriate”, pointing out that Rafeeq had actively led DYFI volunteers engaged in relief and rescue operations during the 2024 landslide. They also shared Rafeeq’s videos in the aftermath of the landslide on Social media. One video features the Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition appreciating Rafeeq and the volunteers for their work in helping people.

The Congress extended its support to Mammootty and condemned the cyberbullying. Party leader Cherian Philip alleged that the cyber attack by CPM supporters against Mammootty on social media was cruel.
Cherian Philip, in a statement, said that the attacks began after Mammootty stated that the township was constructed using public funds belonging to all sections of people in Kerala. He also alleged that when the actor made a private visit to the township, some CPM leaders attempted to turn it into a publicity exercise, which led to the actor expressing displeasure.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on March1 inaugurated the first phase of the Wayanad Township, constructed to rehabilitate the survivors displaced by the devastating landslides at Churalmala and Mundakkai, at Kalpetta in Wayanad.

The Chief Minister handed over the keys of 178 houses and land titles of the property to the beneficiaries at the function.