Never tried to contact any leaders, always loyal to Congress: Rahul Mamkoottathil

Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil on Monday said that he has not attempted to contact any Congress leaders following his suspension from the party over allegations of sexual harassment.

Speaking to the media after attending the Assembly session, Mamkoottathil said he remains committed to the Congress party. "I am currently suspended from the party, but I continue to be fully loyal to the Congress. I know how a suspended member is expected to behave, and I have followed that exactly," he said. "During this entire period, I have not tried to contact any party leaders," he added.

Rahul also said that he does not expect any special consideration from the ongoing police investigation into the complaints against him. He said the investigation should proceed as per due process. When asked about the specific allegations, he declined to comment, stating that the matter is currently under investigation.

Meanwhile, SFI activists blocked Rahul’s car while he was returning to the MLA hostel. Police later arrived at the scene and dispersed the protestors.

Rahul attended the Assembly session today, ending days of uncertainty over his presence. He was allotted a seat separate from the UDF bloc, following a request made by Opposition Leader VD Satheesan.

His attendance was his own decision. While the party had not directed him to stay away, reports suggest Satheesan had conveyed his reservations about his participation. With no legal bar on his presence, Mamkoottathil chose to return to the Assembly after weeks of staying away from public life and his constituency. 

Sources said the decision followed consultations with some leaders. A Crime Branch investigation into the allegations against him is ongoing. In the wake of the controversy, Mamkoottathil had also resigned as Youth Congress district president.