Kochi (Kerala) [India], August 23 (ANI): Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly and Congress leader V.D. Satheesan on Saturday criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) demand for the resignation of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, questioning the party’s moral authority given its own leadership’s controversies.
Satheesan pointed to former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who is reportedly involved in a POCSO case yet continues to serve as a member of the BJP’s central high-power committee.
Speaking to ANI, Satheesan said, “The BJP in Kerala are demanding the resignation of an MLA. How can they demand it? Former CM B.S. Yediyurappa is involved in the POCSO case, yet he is a part of the central high-power committee of the BJP.”
He highlighted differences in political accountability, noting, “We asked the Youth Congress President to resign within 24 hours.” Satheesan also alleged that several CPI(M) leaders facing rape charges “are still continuing as MLAs.”
His remarks came after BJP leaders demanded Mamkootathil’s resignation in the wake of allegations of obscene conduct filed by writer Honey Bhaskaran. In a Facebook post, Bhaskaran alleged that Mamkootathil sent her repeated messages on social media. Initially, the exchanges were about travel, but when the messages persisted, she stopped responding. Later, she said she learned from Youth Congress workers that the MLA had badmouthed her and claimed she had initiated the conversation.
The controversy escalated after actress and model Rini Ann George also accused the Congress MLA of sending her offensive messages and inviting her to a hotel on multiple occasions. George said when she threatened to report him to party leaders, he challenged her to do so. Although she did not reveal his name or party at the time, she alleged she had informed Congress leadership, adding that several politicians’ wives and daughters had similar experiences with the MLA.
“I want to ask which woman these politicians, who were unable to protect the women in their family, will protect?” George said. She further alleged that despite her complaint, the leader continued to receive opportunities within the party.
George added that she decided to speak publicly after seeing similar allegations surface on social media. “I decided to speak as I saw recently on social media that many women have faced similar issues. None of these women are speaking a word about it. So I thought of speaking for all,” she said.
On Wednesday, following the allegations, BJP leaders staged a protest march to the office of Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, demanding his resignation. (ANI)
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