Calls for resignation of Rahul Mamkootathil as MLA grow loud
Follow TNM’s WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.Calls for the resignation of Rahul Mamkootathil as MLA had grown louder in the wake of an audio clip, purportedly conversation between him and a woman whom he allegedly abused and made pregnant, surfacing.On August 21, a new audio clip in which a male voice purportedly belonging to Rahul speaks rudely to a woman chastising her for not aborting her pregnancy was aired by a television channel. During the conversation he is also heard issuing threats to the woman.In the audio, the woman is heard saying: “Why are you saying that it should be terminated, even without my permission…Did I ask you to take up the responsibility? Don't you realise I am a woman? Is this your ideal? …I will not do any wrong to this [child]. I value this child. I love this child. I will manage it on my own, I can bring up the child without your support, I will not come to you. Why do you want to see me, is it to kill me?”The male voice, purportedly Rahul’s, counters: “It is not about permission. You are saying this because you do not understand the consequences..” He also asks her questions like “How will this child grow up?” and accuses her of thinking only about herself. Have you thought about the consequences? What craziness are you doing? This will affect my life. My life will be destroyed. To kill you, what do you think, I just need a few seconds.”The controversy began when former journalist and actor Rini Ann George alleged that a young politician in Kerala sent her offensive messages and invited her to a hotel room three years ago. Though she did not name the person, she claimed his attitude was, “Who cares.” Rahul had previously responded to similar allegations by saying, “Who cares.”The issue soon snowballed, with both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPI(M), staging protest marches in Palakkad, demanding Rahul’s resignation.Rahul had won the Palakkad Assembly by-election in November 2024 after Shafi Parambil vacated the seat upon winning the Vadakara Lok Sabha election. Rahul defeated BJP’s C Krishnakumar and CPI(M)-backed P Sarin by a record margin of 18,724 votes.Earlier, on August 21, Rahul had resigned from all organisational positions in the Congress following mounting pressure over multiple sexual harassment allegations. According to sources, the Congress leadership had asked him to step down after senior leaders and Youth Congress members demanded action.Rahul, however, denied that the party forced him out. Announcing his resignation from the Youth Congress president post on August 21, he told reporters, “There are no complaints against me. No one has named me and said that I forced an abortion. Anyone can cook up a complaint. If the CPI(M) decides to, they can easily fabricate one. Let them complain, I can prove my innocence in court. The party high command did not ask for my resignation. But now I am resigning as Youth Congress state president, not because I was wrong, but because my colleagues should not have to spend their time defending me.”
Follow TNM’s WhatsApp channel for news updates and story links.
CALLS for the resignation of Rahul Mamkootathil as MLA had grown louder in the wake of an audio clip, purportedly conversation between him and a woman whom he allegedly abused and made pregnant, surfacing.
On August 21, a new audio clip in which a male voice purportedly belonging to Rahul speaks rudely to a woman chastising her for not aborting her pregnancy was aired by a television channel.
During the conversation he is also heard issuing threats to the woman.
In the audio, the woman is heard saying: “Why are you saying that it should be terminated, even without my permission…Did I ask you to take up the responsibility? Don't you realise I am a woman? Is this your ideal? …I will not do any wrong to this [child]. I value this child. I love this child. I will manage it on my own, I can bring up the child without your support, I will not come to you. Why do you want to see me, is it to kill me?”
The male voice, purportedly Rahul’s, counters: “It is not about permission. You are saying this because you do not understand the consequences..” He also asks her questions like “How will this child grow up?” and accuses her of thinking only about herself. Have you thought about the consequences? What craziness are you doing? This will affect my life. My life will be destroyed. To kill you, what do you think, I just need a few seconds.”
The controversy began when former journalist and actor Rini Ann George alleged that a young politician in Kerala sent her offensive messages and invited her to a hotel room three years ago.
Though she did not name the person, she claimed his attitude was, “Who cares.” Rahul had previously responded to similar allegations by saying, “Who cares.”
The issue soon snowballed, with both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPI(M), staging protest marches in Palakkad, demanding Rahul’s resignation.
Rahul had won the Palakkad Assembly by-election in November 2024 after Shafi Parambil vacated the seat upon winning the Vadakara Lok Sabha election.
Rahul defeated BJP’s C Krishnakumar and CPI(M)-backed P Sarin by a record margin of 18,724 votes.
Earlier, on August 21, Rahul had resigned from all organisational positions in the Congress following mounting pressure over multiple sexual harassment allegations.
According to sources, the Congress leadership had asked him to step down after senior leaders and Youth Congress members demanded action.
Rahul, however, denied that the party forced him out. Announcing his resignation from the Youth Congress president post on August 21, he told reporters, “There are no complaints against me. No one has named me and said that I forced an abortion. Anyone can cook up a complaint. If the CPI(M) decides to, they can easily fabricate one. Let them complain, I can prove my innocence in court. The party high command did not ask for my resignation. But now I am resigning as Youth Congress state president, not because I was wrong, but because my colleagues should not have to spend their time defending me.”
