Congress suspends MLA Rahul Mamkootathil for six months amid allegations
Thiruvananthapuram: Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has been suspended from the primary membership of the Congress following allegations of misconduct. However, the party has clarified that he will continue as a legislator. The suspension will remain in force for six months, with no internal inquiry expected.
As per the decision, Mamkootathil will not be part of any party or parliamentary party meetings during the suspension period. Sources indicate that the leadership avoided pressing for his resignation as an MLA to prevent a possible by-election, which the party fears could politically benefit the BJP.
Speculation had been rife over his resignation, but Mamkootathil resisted mounting pressure. Senior leaders, including Uma Thomas and Shanimol Usman, publicly urged him to step down, while V.M. Sudheeran and V.D. Satheesan strongly opposed his continuation. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said that an appropriate decision would be taken at the right time.
Following allegations of sexual misconduct, senior Congress leaders distanced themselves from Mamkootathil, while women leaders openly demanded his resignation. The high command, sources say, questioned why he had not initiated any legal action if the charges were baseless.
With the suspension, the party appears to have opted for a middle path, signaling disciplinary action while avoiding a political setback through a premature by-election.
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RCB beat DC by 9 wickets in IPL
New Delhi (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru continued their impressive run, thrashing Delhi Capitals by nine wickets in their IPL match here on Monday.
Opting to bowl, pace duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/5) and Josh Hazlewood (4/12) shared seven wickets, while Rasikh Salam Dar (1/21) and Syuash Sharma (1/7) also contributed as RCB bowled out DC for 75 -- lowest score of this season.
For DC, Abishek Porel (30), David Miller (19) and Kyle Jamieson (12) provided some respectability to the total after being reduced to 8 for 6 in 4th over.
In reply, Devdutt Padikkal (34), Jacob Bethell (20) and Virat Kohli (23) completed the chase in 6.3 overs.
Brief Score:
DC: 75 all-out in 16.3 overs (Abishek Porel 30; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 3/5, Josh Hazlewood 4/12).
RCB: 77 for 1 in 6.3 overs (Devdutt Padikkal 34; Kyle Jamieson 1/42).
