Kerala Congress leaders on Monday raised objections over party leader Rahul Mamkootathil, who is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, planning to attend the Assembly session scheduled to begin next week.
While a formidable section of Congress leaders have come out supporting Rahul,who has been suspended from the party, attending the Assembly session, another section in the party is not in favour of it. The leaders who are arguing for Rahul participating the Assembly session point out that none of the individuals who raised sexual allegations against him have filed a complaint yet.
However, those who support opposition leader VD Satheesan say that it is better for Rahul to take leave and stay away from the Assembly session starting on the 15th of this month to silence the ruling party on the issue.
Many a Congress leaders in Kerala seem to have mellowed down their earlier hardline position against Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, who faces sexual misconduct allegations. Even those leaders who supported the suspension of Rahul from the party over the alleged sexual assault issue ,have now taken the stand that Rahul need not be banned from attending the Assembly .
They argue that if Rahul comes to the Assembly in a big way, no one will attack him. Sometimes, some members from the ruling bench may make the sound of a rooster when Rahul stands up in the Assembly, the opposition can confront this by pointing out those facing similar allegations in the ruling front, they say . There are more “ roosters” in the ruling front, they argue.
Senior Congress leader and former KPCC president K Muraleedharan said he does not believe that the ruling front members would manhandle Rahul, if he arrives at the Assembly to take part in the session. He said that the maximum the LDF members are likely to do is to make some noises like that of a rooster, when Rahul rises up to speak. UDF members can also do the same in return against CPI-M legislator Mukesh or forest minister A K Saseendran who also faced similar harassment allegations, he said.
“When Rahul stands up to speak , sometimes the ruling party members may make the sound of a rooster. When Mukesh stands up, it will be from the UDF bench. When Saseendran stands up, there will be the sound of a cat. Apart from some such sounds, there will be no other untoward incident.” Muraleedharan told media persons here on Monday.
“There were two sexual assault complaints against CPI-M legislator Mukesh, and police gave a chargesheet against him. Police arrested him and released him on bail. But, in Rahul’s case, there is no written complaint against him. So there is nothing wrong for him to take part in the session,” Muraleedharan said.
UDF convener Adoor Prakash MP on Monday reiterated his support for Rahul participating in the Assembly session. He said it is unfair to exclude Rahul Mamkootathil from the assembly while members of the ruling party facing similar allegations are continuing in their positions.He asked why only one person was being singled out when there are individuals facing similar allegations within the ruling party.
Earlier on Sunday, Congress leader M M Hassan supported Rahul attending the Assembly session stating there was nothing to prevent him from taking part in the Assembly sessions in his capacity as an MLA.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch team is likely to inform Speaker AN Shamseer about the case against Rahul Mamkootathil MLA . The move by the Crime Branch comes as the Assembly session is scheduled to begin next week.A case has been registered against Rahul for stalking women through social media and harassing them.