Women leaders from the opposition UDF camp are facing a wave of cyber abuse after they asked Rahul Mamkootathil to step down as Palakkad MLA following sexual harassment allegations. Interestingly, senior male leaders such as Opposition Leader VD Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala, who criticised the former Youth Congress state president, have not faced the same level of backlash.

Thrikkakara MLA Uma Thomas came under vicious attack online soon after she urged Rahul to resign immediately. “The things I have heard about him are shocking. If the allegations were false, he could have filed a defamation case. But his silence only validates the charges. He is otherwise very outspoken, so staying quiet now is not acceptable,” she said, before he met the media and alleged a conspiracy against him.

Social media users targeted her personally, with many commenting that she became an MLA only because bequeathed her late husband PT Thomas's seat, while Rahul “rose from the grassroots.”

Responding to the abuse, Uma said: “This is a democratic country, everyone has the right to respond. My party will stand with me. I have nothing more to add beyond what I said yesterday. I will not interfere with anyone’s freedom of expression.”

In response, the DYFI came out in support of Uma, with its state secretary V K Sanoj alleging that MP Shafi Parambil was behind the cyber abuses.

Vatakara MLA KK Rema also said Rahul should step aside until the probe is completed. “The Congress took exemplary action without even waiting for an FIR. Those who insult women must face consequences. The Left and the CPM, in contrast, have shielded MLAs facing such allegations, often waiting for court verdicts and downplaying the seriousness,” she said. Her comments triggered another round of online attacks, with some users criticising her stand in the Walayar rape case, citing the CBI charge-sheet against the victims’ parents.

KPCC political affairs committee member Shanimol Usman said Rahul must withdraw from both the Assembly and active politics. “Whether there is a legal complaint or not, there is a moral responsibility. The Youth Congress had promptly removed him from its presidency soon after the allegation surfaced. No other party has shown such accountability,” she said. Her remarks too invited backlash, with detractors accusing her of betraying Rahul and calling her “a curse on Congress.”

Among the women leaders who asked to step down include KPCC political affairs committee member Bindu Krishna. “Stepping aside from mainstream politics is the right thing for both the party and the state,” she said.

Mahila Congress State President Jebi Mather asid the complaints against Rahul must be examined. “Targeting complainants on cyber platforms is wrong. Rahul resigned as Youth Congress president citing morality. Did the CPM ever take a similar stand in the case of MLA M Mukesh?” she asked.

Congress spokesperson Shama Mohammed also demanded action, stressing that many women find it difficult to complain openly. “The BJP has no right to criticise the Congress on this issue,” she said.

The Congress on Monday suspended Rahul from the party's membership for six months amid the ongoing sexual misconduct row. The party also hopes to gain a high moral ground by penalising an MLA who faces serious allegations of sexual misconduct. Although a group of leaders initially clung to the contention that there was no case against him, the frequent surfacing of audio clips of his conversations forced the party to act.