Kochi: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday tore into the Congress over the allegations against MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, saying the acts described were those of a “sexual pervert” and criticising the party’s handling of the case. He said the emerging details were “shocking and deeply disturbing.” 

Responding to questions on whether the case was being used as an election tactic, Vijayan said the revelations so far were “not ordinary by any measure.” 

“The facts coming out are shocking to anyone with a human conscience. What he has shown are the actions of a sexual pervert. Do such actions suit a politician or society?” Vijayan asked.

“Someone facing such allegations should have been removed from public life immediately. But reports indicate the Congress leadership knew everything from the beginning. In that situation, should they have projected him as the ‘deposit for the future’? Can any political party justify that?” Vijayan asked during the ‘Meet the Press’ event organised by Ernakulam Press Club.

He added that the Congress, which is “a great party with a great legacy”, needed to reflect on whether it was losing that legacy through such decisions.

Vijayan said the police were taking the “correct actions” and were trying to arrest the MLA, but alleged that attempts were being made to shield him.

“Some people are trying to protect him, and the Congress leadership knows that. There are rumours about where he has gone into hiding, and it seems efforts were made to help him escape,” he said.

When asked whether Rahul would be arrested soon, the Chief Minister shot back, “Shouldn’t he be arrested?”

When asked about the Congress attacking CPM over not expelling M Mukesh MLA, Vjayan retorted by saying that this was not the first time Congress leaders had faced such sexual assault allegations. “Certain MLAs in the Congress have been jailed earlier for similar cases. Has the party dismissed them?” he asked.

Taking an indirect swipe at Congress MP Shafi Parambil, Vijayan criticised those leaders who attempted to defend Mamkootathil.

“Some leaders behave like nobody should ask about him [Mamkootathil] or the crimes he committed. Even when the media raises questions, they refuse to answer,” he said.