Rahul Mamkootathil steps down as Kerala Youth Congress chief amid sexual misconduct allegations

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil has resigned from his post in the wake of mounting complaints and allegations against him. Addressing media on Thursday, Rahul denied reports regarding the party initiating disciplinary action against him, but announced that he will be resigning from the position. According to sources, Rahul has handed his resignation letter to the Congress national leadership. He also conveyed his decision to KPCC president Sunny Joseph over the phone. The move comes in the wake of reports that Rahul might be removed following a series of allegations circulating on social media. There are strong indications that former Youth Congress leader KM Abhijith will be given temporary charge of the state unit. Meanwhile, party sources confirmed that several complaints had been filed against Rahul by women leaders with AICC general secretary Deepa Das Munshi, who is in charge of Kerala. Munshi is learnt to have received at least six such complaints. Mamkootathil announced his resignation while speaking to reporters at his residence in Adoor near here. PTI reports that after actress Rini Ann George accused a young leader of a well-known political party of misbehaviour, BJP and CPI(M) affiliated youth organisation DYFI were protesting against Mamkootathil and demanding his resignation as MLA. His decision to resign from the party post came soon after Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan asserted that nobody found guilty will be spared. The 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 announced his resignation only at the end of the press conference. At a time when the state government is facing severe protests and allegations, Congress leaders and party workers should not spend their time and energy on such matters. Hence, I have decided to resign from the post of Youth Congress president. I still believe that I have not committed any illegal act, he said. After announcing his resignation, Mamkootathil refused to speak further about the matter and went inside his house. (With inputs from PTI)