Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil on Saturday dismissed allegations that he had evaded controversies linked to his friend and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who recently quit as the state Youth Congress president following complaints of inappropriate conduct towards women.

“I left for Bihar from Delhi after the Parliament session on August 21. I did not run away from any controversy,” Shafi clarified. He was speaking to reporters after addressing a protest march against the poor state of national highways and service roads in Vadakara.

Defending the party’s handling of the issue, Shafi said Rahul had stepped down as Youth Congress president “immediately after the allegations were raised due to moral obligation.” He questioned what more could be done in the absence of a formal complaint, an FIR or a court order.

“This is just an attempt to divert attention from the letter controversy involving MV Govindan’s son. How can the CPM, which has an MLA facing sexual assault charges, demand Rahul’s resignation?” he asked. Shafi also denied claims that women had directly approached him with complaints against Rahul. Honey Bhaskaran, one of the complainants, had alleged that the MP was aware of Rahul’s misconduct.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan reiterated that the allegations against Rahul would be probed with “all seriousness.” He stressed that action would be taken against Congress workers engaging in cyber abuse of survivors.

Kerala has been witnessing widespread protests since Wednesday, when Malayalam actor Rini Ann George alleged that a “prominent young politician” had sent her obscene messages and invited her to a hotel room. Though she did not name him, speculation mounted, and later writer Honey Bhaskaran came up with allegations against Rahul. On Friday, transwoman Avantika too alleged that Rahul had sent her sexually suggestive messages after their meeting during the Thrikkakara byelection.

Leaked chats purportedly between Rahul and several women have since gone viral, intensifying the row. Under mounting pressure, Rahul resigned as Youth Congress president on Thursday. However, the Congress leadership has rejected demands for his resignation from the Assembly.