Congress suspends Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil for six months over misconduct row

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Monday suspended MLA Rahul Mamkootathil from the party’s primary membership for six months following allegations of sexual misconduct.

The suspension comes days after he resigned as state Youth Congress president, hours after the controversy broke. Though the party stopped short of asking him to quit the Assembly, the action bars him from attending legislative sessions, parliamentary party meetings and other official forums.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph, Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala consulted before finalizing the decision. Party sources said the move was aimed at containing political damage, as his resignation could have triggered a by-election in Palakkad. The state unit opted for suspension after legal advice, despite the high command initially favoring resignation.

The row escalated after a transwoman, Avantika, accused Mamkootathil of coercion and threats. On Sunday, he released WhatsApp chats and phone conversations with her in an attempt to defend himself. However, he has avoided direct answers to more serious allegations, including an audio clip in which he is purportedly heard forcing a woman into abortion and issuing threats. While Avantika maintains the voice is his, Mamkootathil has neither denied it outright nor sought forensic testing.

Party insiders say his failure to strongly assert his innocence has eroded support even among sympathizers. Meanwhile, both the State Women’s Commission and the Child Rights Commission have taken note of the case after a second, more damaging audio surfaced. Mamkootathil has insisted he will respond only if a case is formally filed, while refusing to approach authorities over what he calls fabricated recordings.

With the suspension in place, Congress leaders hope the controversy will cool down. The CPI(M) and BJP, however, have intensified their demand for his resignation from the Assembly.