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Congress MLA Mamkootathil has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least three women, including Malayalam actor Rini George
Kerala BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil | File Image
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday intensified its attack on the Congress, questioning why the party was “victim shaming” women who have accused Kerala MLA Rahul Mamkootathil of sexual harassment.
Kerala BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar took direct aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of fostering a “culture of lies” and alleging that Congress leaders believe they are not answerable for their actions.
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“If Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon is part of so many Congress programmes, why are they victim-shaming in Kerala? Why is this man still an MLA? This is something the people of India and Kerala are understanding,” Chandrasekhar said, referring to the Congress campaign slogan from the 2021 Uttar Pradesh polls.
Allegations Against MLA
Mamkootathil, who represents Palakkad, has been accused of sexual misconduct by at least three women, including Malayalam actor Rini George, writer Honey Bhaskaran, and trans rights activist Avanthika.
George, in a viral interview, alleged that Mamkootathil sent her inappropriate messages for years and even offered to book a hotel room.
She claimed senior Congress leaders ignored her complaints.
Avanthika accused the MLA of making lewd remarks and sharing “rape fantasies” with her. Bhaskaran too has accused him of harassment.
Social media has since been flooded with alleged screenshots of WhatsApp messages and an audio clip in which the Congress leader is purportedly heard coercing a woman into an abortion and threatening her.
Mamkootathil has strongly denied the allegations.
While he stepped down as Kerala Youth Congress president on August 21, he refused to resign as MLA, insisting the charges are politically motivated.
“Resignation is not even in my thoughts. None of the women have filed a legal complaint. If the CPI(M) wants, they can fabricate one. I will prove my innocence in court,” he said.
BJP Turns Heat On Congress
Chandrasekhar alleged that Mamkootathil’s case reflects a larger problem in the Congress.
“This man is just a symptom of a deep-rooted malaise. The Congress survives on appeasement, corruption and divisive politics, not service to the people. What Rahul Gandhi has created is a metaphor for lies and corruption,” he told NDTV.
He also lashed out at Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, claiming that the Gandhi siblings believe they are above accountability.
“Believing that they are not accountable for anything that they do is going from Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra all the way down to these types of jokers,” Chandrasekhar said.
- Location :
Kerala, India, India
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