Is there a case against suspended Cong MLA Mamkootathil to 'cover up' Sabarimala gold 'theft'?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The BJP claims the case against Mamkootathil is a distraction from a gold theft scandal.
- There are ongoing demands for accountability from both parties involved.
- The situation has raised concerns about political integrity during election season.
- Mamkootathil's anticipatory bail plea could impact the political landscape.
- Public responses indicate a growing frustration with political maneuvers in serious allegations.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 29 (NationPress) The President of Kerala BJP, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, asserted on Saturday that the initiation of the sexual assault case against the suspended Congress MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil, is a calculated move by the CPI(M)–Congress coalition designed to “conceal” the Sabarimala gold “theft”.
Chandrasekhar claimed that the case was lodged merely ten days prior to the elections, purportedly to distract from the ongoing gold smuggling “scandal”.
He emphasized that the accusations against Mamkootathil were already known before the bye-election, stating, “Nevertheless, the Congress imposed him on the populace of Palakkad.”
In a related development, former BJP State President K. Surendran demanded that the Congress leadership promptly forward all complaints against Mamkootathil to the police.
Surendran questioned why the KPCC and AICC, despite receiving numerous complaints from victims, failed to relay them to law enforcement.
Notably, the State General Secretary of the Youth Congress himself recognized complaints against Mamkootathil publicly, yet no action was taken.
Surendran further critiqued the Leader of the Opposition, V. D. Satheesan, asking why he did not report the matter to the police.
He remarked, “If the Congress claims to uphold moral integrity, then why hasn’t Mamkootathil resigned?”
Surendran noted that even senior Congress figures like Satheesan and Ramesh Chennithala have distanced themselves from Mamkootathil, yet the leadership remains silent on demanding his resignation.
He asserted, “This reflects the double standards practiced by the Congress.”
Surendran accused the party of orchestrating cyberattacks against victims, claiming that even Satheesan was targeted after advocating for action.
He mentioned that many young women were coerced into silence, indicating that this situation is not isolated but rather part of a broader conspiracy backed by malign forces.
Describing it as an “organized crime”, he criticized the police for their prolonged inaction.
Surendran stated, “Despite Mamkootathil being in Palakkad, he was not apprehended, raising suspicions that the police are waiting for him to obtain anticipatory bail.”
He characterized it as a disgraceful failure that even after 48 hours post-complaint, the state Home Department alleged it could not locate a sitting MLA in Kerala.
However, on Saturday, it was reported that Mamkootathil, whose anticipatory bail request was submitted in the Thiruvananthapuram District Court, had met with his lawyer on Friday but went unnoticed, despite being in the spotlight for the preceding two days, even as a lookout notice against him was issued.
The hearing for his anticipatory bail request is scheduled for Wednesday.