The Congress party, which never misses a chance to preach about women’s rights and morality, has once again exposed its double standards. Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women and now caught in a leaked audio threatening a woman to undergo an abortion, has only been suspended from the party not expelled from the legislature. Shockingly, he continues as an MLA, drawing salary from taxpayers’ money. The suspension came not on moral grounds, but after relentless public outrage. Congress, instead of setting a moral example, has chosen political convenience, repeating its old playbook of shielding tainted leaders.
Allegations Rock Kerala Politics
Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil from Palakkad faces explosive allegations of sexual misconduct from several women, including actor Rini Ann George, writer Honey Bhaskaran, and trans woman activist Avanthika. To make matters worse, an audio clip went viral in which Mamkootathil can be heard coercing a woman to abort her pregnancy and even threatening to kill her if she refused.
In the clip, he tells the woman: “This will destroy my life… to kill you, I just need a few seconds.” The chilling audio has triggered widespread outrage in Kerala, further tarnishing the Congress party’s already fragile credibility.
Congress Response: Suspension Without Accountability
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the Congress has stopped short of demanding Mamkootathil’s resignation as an MLA. The party suspended him from its primary membership, but has allowed him to continue as a legislator. This half-hearted step came only after mounting public anger and protests, not out of genuine moral conviction.
It isn’t the first time Congress has resorted to such tokenism. In 2022, Congress MLA Eldhose Kunnappally, facing a rape case, was only suspended temporarily and later reinstated. Similarly, the CPI(M), which the Congress cites as justification, allowed its MLA M. Mukesh to remain in office despite being chargesheeted in a rape case. Instead of breaking this shameful cycle, Congress has chosen to repeat it.
This lack of moral accountability has sparked internal dissent as well, with many Youth Congress workers and senior leaders openly saying Mamkootathil’s presence as MLA is damaging the party’s image at a crucial time, with local body and assembly elections around the corner.
Women Speak Out: Allegations Multiply
The storm began when Malayalam actor Rini Ann George accused a “young politician” of harassing her online and inviting her to a five-star hotel. Though she did not name Mamkootathil, the BJP quickly alleged she was referring to him. Following this, more women came forward.
Writer Honey Bhaskaran and activist Avanthika both accused the MLA of sending obscene messages and making disturbing sexual advances. Avanthika revealed he spoke to her about “rape sex” and pressured her to enact his fantasies. Screenshots of WhatsApp chats later surfaced, allegedly showing him propositioning women and attempting to meet them in private.
The allegations paint a disturbing picture of a man abusing his power and position, all while being shielded by his party.
Political Fallout: Congress on the Backfoot
The scandal has snowballed into a major embarrassment for the Congress in Kerala. The BJP has demanded Mamkootathil’s immediate resignation, calling Congress hypocritical for preaching morality while protecting accused leaders. CPI(M)’s youth wing, DYFI, has also taken to the streets, holding protests in Palakkad and accusing Congress of shielding a “predator.”
Within Congress, the crisis has deepened. A section of the party believes shielding Mamkootathil could prove disastrous in the upcoming Assembly elections. Yet the high command has so far resisted calls for his resignation, fearing a by-election in Palakkad where the BJP was runner-up. This exposes the party’s preference for electoral math over ethical responsibility.
Mamkootathil, meanwhile, insists he will not resign. “Resignation is not even in my thoughts,” he told the media, adding, “If they file a case, I can prove my innocence in court.” Despite the damning audio clip and multiple testimonies, he has doubled down, banking on the Congress leadership’s silence.
Congress Chooses Power Over Principles
The Rahul Mamkootathil episode has laid bare the Congress party’s moral bankruptcy. Instead of taking the high ground by removing him from the legislature, it has chosen the easy way out suspending him from primary membership while allowing him to remain an MLA. Worse, the move came only after immense public pressure, not as a matter of principle.
By prioritising electoral survival over women’s safety and dignity, Congress has once again revealed that its slogans on gender justice are hollow. The message is clear: when it comes to safeguarding tainted politicians, both Congress and CPI(M) are united in hypocrisy, leaving women to fight their battles alone.
