Thiruvananthapuram: Amid mounting sexual harassment allegations against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, Congress leaders on Saturday sought to contain the controversy with clarifications and assurances. While AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala, Deepa Dasmunshi, maintained that the party has not received any formal complaint against him, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said the matter would be probed with “all seriousness.”

Satheesan noted that Rahul resigned from the post of Youth Congress president within 24 hours of the allegations surfacing. “This is despite the absence of any formal complaint against him. We will investigate the matter with all seriousness and take a decision without compromise,” he said.

He also warned Congress workers against cyberbullying the survivors. “We will take action against those resorting to such behaviour,” he added.

Further, Satheesan criticised Palakkad MP VK Sreekandan’s remarks on the survivor’s attire. “This was a politically incorrect statement. Sreekandan has already corrected it,” he said.

Dasmunshi, meanwhile, said Rahul’s resignation was voluntary. “There is no complaint against Rahul Mamkootathil yet from any woman or family. He resigned from the post of Youth Congress president due to his moral obligation. There was no pressure from the party’s side. This chapter is over,” she told reporters.

Reiterating that the party upheld ethical standards, she added, “Congress always stood by morality. I ask the other parties to do the same. They should first look at their own party.”

Kerala has been witnessing widespread protests against the MLA after multiple women accused him of sending inappropriate messages. The controversy erupted on Wednesday when Malayalam actor Rini Ann George alleged that a “prominent young politician” had sent her obscene messages on Instagram and invited her to a hotel room. Though she did not name him, her remarks sparked speculation. Hours later, writer Honey Bhaskaran alleged that Rahul had initiated a conversation with her on Instagram and later made derogatory remarks about her.

On Friday, transwoman Avantika also accused the MLA of sending sexually suggestive messages, claiming that his conversations became increasingly perverse after they met during the Thrikkakara byelection.

Meanwhile, leaked chats purportedly between Rahul and several women have been circulating online, intensifying the row. Under pressure, Rahul resigned as state Youth Congress president on Thursday, but the Congress leadership has rejected demands for his resignation from the Assembly.