Subtle Tensions in Kerala Congress Over Suspended MLA’s Assembly Stunt
A recent leadership meeting of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) seemed to deliberately sidestep any lengthy discussion regarding suspended Congress legislator Rahul Mamkootathil’s controversial appearance in the Assembly. This incident raised questions about whether his move to reclaim political relevance would undermine the Opposition United Democratic Front’s (UDF) efforts to scrutinize the ruling front on pressing issues like alleged police brutality and corruption within the CPI(M) leadership in Thrissur.
According to an anonymous Congress insider, the closed-door discussions mostly avoided the “Mamkootathil issue.” However, a consensus reportedly emerged among senior leaders: Mamkootathil’s “surprise attendance” had unfortunately played into the hands of the ruling party, effectively shifting the day’s media focus away from the government’s ongoing problems.
The insider also revealed that a faction within the KPCC leadership believes Mamkootathil might choose to abstain from the upcoming final Assembly session before the local body polls. This would be a tactical decision to avoid repeating the mistake of diluting the UDF’s impactful critiques against the government.
Interestingly, when questioned about the KPCC’s stance on Mamkootathil’s continued presence in office, both senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan offered no direct answers.
KPCC President Sunny Joseph, MLA, simply reiterated that Mamkootathil remains an elected representative, despite his suspension from the party’s primary membership and his subsequent removal from the Congress Legislative Party (CLP).
Adding to the nuanced responses, Congress Working Committee member Kodikunnil Suresh informed reporters that Mamkootathil’s actions were beyond the party’s control, implying that leaders were neither obliged to explain, defend, nor criticize his choices. Similarly, KPCC working president P. C. Vishnunath stated that the responsibility for his future actions now rested squarely with Mamkootathil himself.
Beyond the internal party dynamics, the KPCC meeting also set its sights on broader political goals. It pledged to expose what it perceives as the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) questionable tactic of utilizing public funds for campaigning through “development conferences” as its term nears its end.
Furthermore, the committee proposed engaging national leaders in a campaign against the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) alleged attempts to suppress voter turnout in Kerala. They believe the ECI’s Special Intensive Revision of the voters’ list is being used as a pretext to unfairly benefit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming local body and 2026 Assembly elections.