Thiruvananthapuram: Trouble continues to mount for Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil, with the Congress leadership reportedly considering seeking his resignation from the Assembly seat. The young legislator is under severe pressure following multiple allegations of sexual harassment.

After senior leaders like Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan demanded his exit, several women leaders of the party have now joined the call. It is reported that the party leadership will announce its crucial decision by Sunday evening.

Addressing the media in Kochi, Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas said she was shocked by the series of revelations against Rahul and urged him to step down.

“He must resign from the MLA post. Numerous complaints have been raised against him. If the allegations were false, he should have filed a defamation case. But he didn’t. He must take moral responsibility and resign,” Uma Thomas said.

She also welcomed the Congress leadership’s move to swiftly remove Rahul from the post of Youth Congress president once the allegations surfaced.

Echoing her stand, Congress leaders Shanimol Usman, Bindhu Krishna, and Deepthi Mary Varghese said Rahul should quit to protect the party’s credibility. Usman added that she expects the Congress to take “revolutionary action” in the case.

Meanwhile, CPM leader and former MP PK Sreemathi accused Rahul of “misusing women” and claimed many victims were afraid to lodge complaints. She also alleged that the Congress leadership was shielding him.

At the same time, speculation is rife that the Congress is wary of another bypoll in Palakkad. They fear that the BJP could wrest the seat. To avoid that possibility, the party may ask Rahul to step aside from active politics without formally giving up his MLA post.