No rumours please, will take apt decision at the right time: KPCC prez on MLA Rahul's resignation

Thiruvananthapuram: Responding to speculation over Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil’s resignation, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Adv. Sunny Joseph said on Sunday that the party would take an “apt decision at the right time.”

He confirmed that he and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan had already held discussions with senior party leaders on the matter.

“Opinions of party members will be examined. Congress will also consider the demands of its women leaders. An official announcement will be made once a decision is taken. Until then, there is no need for unnecessary rumours,” Sunny Joseph told the media.
The KPCC president declined to answer further questions from reporters.

According to unconfirmed reports, the state leadership is likely to demand Rahul’s resignation from the Palakkad Assembly seat, in line with similar directions reportedly issued by the party High Command.

Senior Congress leaders Ramesh Chennithala, K Muraleedharan, and Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas have publicly stated that Rahul should step down, intensifying pressure on the embattled legislator.

At the same time, speculation is rife that the Congress is wary of facing 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.

Rahul landed in controversy after Malayalam actor Rini Ann George alleged that a young politician had sent her obscene messages. Though she did not name him, her revelation triggered the storm around the MLA.

Soon after, writer Honey Bhaskaran alleged that Rahul had initiated a conversation with her on Instagram and later made derogatory remarks about her to others. Screenshots of alleged chats between Rahul and several women also surfaced online, intensifying the row.