Latest news with #Mamkootathil
Hindustan Times
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil quits as Youth Cong chief
Kochi: Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil resigned as the president of the state Youth Congress unit on Thursday following allegations of misconduct and inappropriate behaviour towards an actress. Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil resigned as the president of the state Youth Congress unit on Thursday. (FACEBOOK.) Mamkootathil, the legislator from Palakkad who was elected last year through a bye-election, dismissed all allegations against him and said in a press conference at his residence in Adoor that he was stepping down to protect his party and save the time of party workers who may have to justify him. Actress Rini Ann George on Wednesday accused a 'young prominent politician' of a well-known party of sending her obscene messages and inviting her to a hotel room, after which BJP and CPI(M) affiliated youth organisation DYFI were protesting against Mamkootathil and demanding his resignation as MLA. George told reporters on Wednesday that she did not intend to name the politician or file a police complaint against him. When reporters asked if it was Mamkootathil, she said 'no comments'. She claimed she did not 'expect justice' through legal means and wanted the accused to reform himself as well as warn other women about him. The 35-year-old MLA began the press conference by saying that he had spoken to the opposition leader, as well as KPCC and AICC leaders, on Thursday morning. 'They did not demand my resignation. The actress is my friend, and I don't believe the person she mentioned was me. She is my good friend and will remain so. I believe that I have not done anything against the law or the Constitution of the country until now,' he said. He added, 'I am resigning from the post not because there is any truth in the allegations. I reject all the allegations against me. I am resigning because at a time when Congress workers have to mount a resistance against the deeply unpopular LDF government, they should not have to waste time justifying me or trying to prove my innocence. The responsibility of proving my innocence is on me.' He maintained that he would not resign as MLA. In Trivandrum, leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, who once called Mamkootathil his younger brother, said on Thursday that the party would take strong action against those facing such serious allegations. He indirectly confirmed that there were allegations against Mamkootathil.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rahul Mamkootathil as MLA: Onus on Congress, says Govindan
T'puram: CPM state secretary M V Govindan on Thursday said it was up to the Congress party to decide whether Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil should resign as a member of the legislative assembly following the sexual harassment charges against him. Govindan said the allegations against the MLA were not vague or unsupported by evidence, and hence the Congress leadership should consider such factors and act appropriately. The CPM state secretary also criticised opposition leader V D Satheesan. He said Satheesan did not rise to the occasion even as a girl in a family close to him informed about some unwelcome approach by Mamkoottathil. "According to Satheesan, he handled the issue like a father figure. But as an opposition leader, he failed to act proactively. It was after this issue that Mamkoottathil was chosen as a candidate in the Palakkad byelection," Govindan said. A disgrace to assembly: Shailaja Meanwhile in Kozhikode, CPM leader K K Shailaja said that Mamkootathil continuing as the MLA is a disgrace to the state's legislative assembly. In a Facebook post, she said that revelations that shook public conscience emerged against Mamkootathil, including forcing a woman to consider abortion. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Shailaja added that such serious allegations cannot be brushed aside merely with a resignation from party posts. She said Congress leadership, which ignored repeated complaints against Mamkootathil and even gave him the opportunity to become a people's representative, is collectively responsible for giving answers on this matter. She alleged that it had become evident — especially during the Vadakara parliamentary election — that a group operating under the leadership of Mamkootathil and Shafi Parambil posts abusive comments targeting women using fake social media IDs. "Since these fake IDs are deleted after posting such comments, it was difficult to initiate legal action," said the CPM leader who unsuccessfully contested in Vadakara during the 2024 parliamentary election. Now, left with no alternative, Congress leadership, which sheltered such individuals for political gain, is forced to respond. Legal action must be taken against Mamkootathil, she said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Under fire for misconduct with women, MLA Mamkootathil quits Youth Cong post
Pathanamthitta/Thiruvananthapuram: Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on Thursday quit as Youth Congress state president following allegations of misbehaviour with women from various quarters. The Palakkad MLA announced his decision at his residence in Adoor, shortly after opposition leader V D Satheesan said the party would address such serious allegations without any compromise. Young actor Rini Ann George had on Wednesday alleged that a "young leader of a prominent political party" sent her obscene messages and invited her to a five-star hotel. She stopped short of naming the person but dropped enough hints. However, on Thursday, screenshots of social media chats and voice clips purportedly featuring Mamkootathil appeared on TV channels and social media. Mamkootathil said he decided to quit the post on his own. "At a time when the state govt is facing severe protests and allegations, Congress leaders and party workers should not waste their time and energy on such matters. Hence, I have decided to resign from the post of Youth Congress president. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo I still believe that I have not committed any illegal act," he said. The MLA said he had spoken to the opposition leader, besides KPCC and AICC leaders. "They did not demand my resignation. The actress is my friend, and I don't believe the person she mentioned was me. She is my good friend and will remain so. I believe that I have not done anything against the law or the Constitution until now," he said, adding that he was not aware of the actor complaining to Satheesan about him. On an audio clip released by a Malayalam news channel alleging that he forced a woman to terminate a pregnancy, Mamkootathil said anyone could create such clips in this era. "I will reply when any complaint is filed. Till now, no such complaint exists," he said. Earlier in the day, writer Honey Bhaskaran alleged on social media that Mamkootathil chatted with her on Instagram and later made derogatory remarks about her. On this, he said he also saw the post but no evidence was provided. "Let her prove her allegation. If there is anything illegal, a complaint should be given. If two people indulging in a conversation is illegal, then she is also guilty. I am ready to face action if I am found guilty," he said. Similar allegations were raised against him when he was chosen as Youth Congress president and during the Palakkad byelection, he added. Indirectly welcoming Mamkootathil's decision, Rini said in Kochi that she was only seeking a behavioural correction among politicians. Without naming the person, she said: "Parties should take such corrective measures against such people." On the "friendship" claim, she said she had blocked the person on social media and they no longer communicated. Earlier, Satheesan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that anyone found guilty of such misbehaviour would not be spared. "The woman who raised the allegation should not be dragged into a controversy. She is like a daughter to me. If someone in Congress committed a serious offence, the party will handle it strictly. No matter how prominent the leader is, action will be taken. I will personally ensure this," he said. He said the party had not received any complaint so far. "No one has approached me with a personal complaint. If they did, action would be taken. A serious complaint has emerged now, and action will be taken. The party will investigate and act accordingly," he said. Meanwhile, protests broke out in parts of the state demanding the MLA's resignation. BJP and Mahila Morcha members marched to his office in Palakkad with live roosters. CPM and DYFI members also protested in Palakkad. Protests were also staged outside the MLA's residence in Adoor and offices of Satheesan. Mamkootathil had won the Palakkad byelection in Nov last year with a margin of 18,724 votes. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
India Today
15 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Friends went through this too: Malayalam author on why she exposed Congress MLA
Malayalam Writer Honey Bhaskaran, speaking exclusively to India Today, said her decision to call out ex-Kerala Youth Congress state president and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil came after learning that many of her friends too 'have gone through the same thing.'She stressed that her complaint was not about the messages alone but 'the way he presented it in his circle.' Honey alleged that Mamkootathil misrepresented their chats before his party colleagues, claiming she regularly texted him and boasted about comments came after Mamkootathil resigned from the post of Kerala Youth Congress State President. 'This is a difficult situation as many women are hesitant to speak about it. The reason is these people tell different stories to others. Our people stand with us only till we speak about it. Many women are scared because of this,' Honey added that she knew of other women who had been victims but could not reveal names because of legal limitations. 'I know about the trauma they are going through. That's why I decided to speak,' she Malayalam actor and former journalist Rini Ann George alleged that a 'youth leader' from a 'major political party' had repeatedly sent her offensive messages and even invited her to a then resigned from the post, but said he was stepping down not because he had done anything wrong, but to ensure the party could focus on its work.- EndsIN THIS STORY#Kerala
India Today
17 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Rahul Mamkootathil quits as Kerala Youth Congress chief amid harassment allegations
Kerala Youth Congress State President and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has resigned from his post following allegations of harassment made by Malayalam actor and former journalist Rini Ann George, and later, writer Honey Wednesday, Rini alleged that a youth leader from a major political party had repeatedly sent her offensive messages and even invited her to a hotel. She said that despite being aware of his behaviour, party leaders continued to support she did not name anyone, the BJP staged a protest march to Rahul Mamkootathil's office, accusing him of being the leader in question. DYFI, the youth wing of CPI(M), too, marched to Mamkootathil's Palakkad office demanding his resignation. Soon after, writer Honey Bhaskaran also came forward with similar allegations and named Mamkootathil. In a post, she claimed he had repeatedly messaged her and later misrepresented their conversations to others. Honey alleged that several complaints had been made against him within the Youth Congress, but no action was announcing his resignation, said he was stepping down not because he had done anything wrong, but to ensure the party could focus on its work.'As far as Youth Congress workers and party workers are concerned, they have a lot of work to do before the next assembly and panchayat elections. They cannot waste time justifying me. I respect their time. We will fight strongly against the CPI(M) government and face the elections,' he said. He added that no party leader had asked him to resign and called it his personal to the harassment allegations, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan clarified that the Congress had received a complaint only now and assured that action would be taken 'whoever it is.'Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Satheesan also said the complainant was "like a daughter" to him."If they commit any mistake, I will take action. A serious complaint has now been raised, and it will be handled accordingly. His position was given based on his work," said Satheesan.- EndsIN THIS STORY#Kerala
