Last Updated:
The Grand Old Party will have to decide whether it wants to win one seat in Palakkad or emerge victorious in the state
In August this year, Congress suspended Rahul Mankootathil, the Palakkad MLA, from the party’s primary membership amid allegations of sexual misconduct against him. (PTI)
As Kerala edges toward crucial local body elections, the Congress finds itself contending not just with its opponents, but with the continuing fallout of the Rahul Mankootathil controversy—an issue that shows no signs of fading.
In the Palakkad assembly constituency, where electoral margins are thin and the BJP has long been inching closer, the suspended MLA’s name continues to dominate whispers. For a party attempting to project moral resolve while protecting political turf, the allegations—and the latest leaked audio—threaten to turn a single constituency’s headache into a state-wide vulnerability.
In August this year, Congress suspended Mankootathil, the Palakkad MLA, from the party’s primary membership amid allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
Though there were no complaints by any victims against Mankootathil, the police registered a case of stalking and criminal intimidation based on the notice issued by the Child Rights Commission and nine other complaints given by politicians or social activists.
The FIR says the victims are in the age group of 18-60 and the accused used social media to stalk them, send messages and even coerce one of them to terminate a pregnancy.
The controversy began when former journalist and actor/model Rini Ann George accused a “young leader from a prominent political party” of sending her offensive messages on multiple occasions and even inviting her to a hotel. Though she did not name the politician, the BJP took out a march towards Mankootathil’s office, alleging that he was the leader in question.
Honey Bhaskaran, a writer, had also come out and made allegations against Mankootathil. In a Facebook post, Bhaskaran alleged that the MLA messaged her on social media and when she realised that he had no intention of stopping the messages, she stopped communication. Bhaskaran added that later she learnt through Youth Congress workers that he had badmouthed her and told them that she had initiated the conversation.
The Congress leadership in the state, especially opposition leader VD Satheeshan, took a strong stand when the allegations surfaced. Senior leader Ramesh Chennithala too sought immediate action. As pressure grew, Mankootathil resigned as the Youth Congress state president and the party suspended him from the primary membership.
Extolling the quick action, Satheeshan had said it’s the first time that a political party in Kerala was taking such a decision with great rigour and determination. The Congress leadership, including PCC president Sunny Joseph, said though there had been no complaint before them nor proof submitted, the party had acted against Mankootathil within 24 hours.
Satheeshan also drew parallels with the CPI(M), saying they had a rape case accused as an MLA but no action was taken against him. “We acted because of the respect our party has for women,” he emphasised.
Though there were several protests seeking Mankootathil’s resignation from the MLA’s post, leaders within the Congress were not very keen as they did not want another by-election in Palakkad, where the BJP had come a close second. For the Grand Old Party, fighting another by-election in the face of such allegations would have been an uphill task.
Now, as the local body elections near, another audio clip—allegedly of Mankootathil with a woman—has gone viral. In the audio, the woman can be heard conveying to him her difficulties in the first month of pregnancy. The man, in a rude tone, asks her to visit a hospital. The woman goes on to say that he was the one who wanted the child but had changed with time.
Reacting to the allegations, Mankootathil said the charges were “nothing new” and the investigation into them was “ongoing”. When asked if the voice in the viral audio was his, Mankootathil said: “First, TV channels air the audio saying it’s me and then they ask if it’s me. What is the logic in this?”
The controversy has come as added trouble for Congress, especially when local body elections are nearing. In Palakkad constituency, though suspended from Congress, Mankootathil remains active and was seen campaigning for some candidates.
Mankootathil’s stand is that since he is suspended from the party, he should not participate in any party programmes and he is following the diktat. However, he added that there are people who worked tirelessly for him during his elections and if they request him to seek votes for them during local body polls, he will follow suit.
While there are some within the Congress who feel the stand taken by Mankootathil is correct as he is concentrating only in Palakkad, others feel the timing of the leaks will make people question the allegations.
The Congress leadership, as of now, is taking a wait-and-watch stand. The cadre, meanwhile, is divided. Some within the party feel that as none of the victims had filed a complaint, there was no need for such a strong stand from the leadership. But others say the stand was correct and the Congress can claim moral high ground.
With the leaked audio, the Congress is now putting the ball in the chief minister’s court, stating that it is up to the government to take action and complete the investigation. Their stand is that the party has taken whatever action was possible—even without a complaint.
As far as the assembly elections in another six months are concerned , according to one leader, the Grand Old Party will have to decide whether it wants to win one seat in Palakkad or emerge victorious in the state. There is also a possibility that if an official complaint is made closer to the assembly elections, the CPI(M) may use the controversy politically.
Palakkad is one seat where the BJP has been coming second consistently in the assembly elections. This will also have to be considered when fielding a candidate from the crucial area. For now, the Congress leadership in Kerala is waiting to see the turn the row takes.
Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported on floods …Read More
Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported on floods … Read More
Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India
November 27, 2025, 08:31 IST
Read More
