A new controversy erupted on Thursday as E.N. Suresh Babu, the Palakkad district secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), suggested that a senior Congress figure — referred to as legislator Rahul Mamkootathil’s ‘headmaster’ — was hesitant to distance himself from the MLA, even in the face of serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
Babu claimed that the same leader who had championed Mamkootathil during the Palakkad Assembly by-election was known for allegedly coercing ‘personable women’ to travel with him to Bengaluru. He shockingly labelled both the unnamed leader and Mamkootathil as ‘partners in crime.’
When pressed for the identity of Mamkootathil’s alleged ‘headmaster,’ Babu cryptically responded that journalists were welcome to draw their own conclusions.
However, Congress leaders quickly denounced Babu’s thinly veiled accusations. In Palakkad town, party members staged protests, vehemently opposing what they called Babu’s ‘slanderous targeting’ of MP Shafi Parambil.
Subsequently, Shafi Parambil, the MP in question, publicly condemned Babu’s remarks as ‘libellous slander.’ Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan announced to reporters in Thrissur that Parambil intended to file a lawsuit against Babu for the alleged defamation, a challenge Babu appeared to readily accept.
Despite the escalating controversy, Mamkootathil continued his second day in Palakkad, touring the Assembly constituency. He was seen warmly greeting constituents and addressing petitioners in his office, projecting an image of business as usual.
Interestingly, an increasing number of Congress leaders seemed to openly demonstrate their close ties with the embattled legislator, seemingly unfazed by the growing public debate.
Both the CPI(M) and BJP swiftly criticized the Congress, arguing that the party’s continued ’embrace of Mamkootathil’ contradicted their stated concerns and pledges to hold the ‘wayward legislator’ accountable.
In Thrissur, Mr. Satheesan informed reporters that he would not hesitate to greet Mamkootathil should the opportunity arise. He also defended Congress leader Benny Behanan’s decision to ‘welcome’ Mamkootathil at a private event in Palakkad.
Satheesan clarified, ‘Mamkootathil remains a respected party colleague, even though he has been temporarily removed from organizational duties following a collective leadership decision. There is no ill will towards him.’
Adding to this, A. Thankappan, president of the Palakkad District Congress Committee, confirmed that the party had issued no directive to ‘ostracize’ Mamkootathil.
Significantly, activists from the Kerala Students Union and Youth Congress were consistently seen accompanying Mamkootathil, demonstrating visible support.
N.N. Krishnadas, a CPI(M) State committee member, stated in Palakkad that it was not his party’s responsibility to curb Mamkootathil’s activities. He bluntly called the MLA ‘Congress’ festering political liability.’
The DYFI has declared its intention to continue satirizing Mamkootathil. Their activists had previously acted as ‘town criers’ on Wednesday, humorously warning women and children about the MLA’s presence. The DYFI affirmed that these creative and satirical campaigns against the legislator would persist.
In the interim, the BJP announced its plans to intensify its aggressive street campaigns targeting the MLA.