Kerala: Congress leadership reportedly directs Rahul Mamkootathil to stay away from assembly

Though suspended Congress MLA from Palakkad, Rahul Mamkootathil, attended the first day of the 14th session of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly on Monday, he was absent from the Assembly on Tuesday. It is learnt that the Congress leadership’s intervention was behind his absence.

Reports suggest that the party leadership in Kerala has instructed Rahul not to attend the session. Sources indicate that he may skip the Assembly in the coming days as well, or perhaps attend only on alternate days.

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According to reports, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan convinced the leadership that Rahul’s presence in the House would divert attention from the opposition’s fight against the government, as media focus would shift toward him. The party reportedly assessed that this concern was already evident both inside and outside the Assembly on Monday.

Rahul’s presence on the opening day sparked divisions within the Congress. While LoP VD Satheesan strongly opposed the tainted MLA’s participation, sections of the state leadership—particularly the three working presidents who are fast emerging as a power centre—did not share his view.

Meanwhile, the KPCC office-bearers’ meeting on Monday saw sharp criticism of the leadership’s lack of clarity. K Muraleedharan and VT Balram questioned why Rahul was allowed in the Assembly, and also criticized Youth Congress district president Nemon Shajeer for accompanying him.