Rahul Mamkootathil faces fresh heat as audio clip surfaces amid sexual misconduct allegations
Palakkad: Kerala Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil has landed in deeper controversy after an alleged audio clip of him threatening a woman went viral on Saturday. In the recording, the Palakkad legislator is purportedly heard pressuring the woman to terminate her pregnancy and warning that he could “kill (her) in seconds” if she resisted.
According to reports, the four-minute clip features Mamkootathil expressing concern that the pregnancy could “destroy” his life. The woman, however, pushes back, saying she would raise the child herself, while accusing him of being capable of harming it. The authenticity of the recording has not been independently verified.
The MLA, already facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, had earlier been accused by Malayalam actor Rini George, writer Honey Bhaskaran, and trans activist Avanthika of harassment and inappropriate behaviour. Screenshots of WhatsApp chats allegedly involving him have also circulated on social media.
On August 21, Mamkootathil resigned as Kerala Youth Congress President and from other organisational posts, though he maintained that the move was voluntary. However, he has refused to step down as MLA, insisting, “Resignation is not even in my thoughts. Let them complain; I can prove my innocence in court.”
The controversy has triggered political backlash. The BJP has accused the Congress of shielding Mamkootathil, with Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar calling him a “symptom of a deep-rooted malaise in the Congress.” CPI(M)’s youth wing, DYFI, has also staged protests demanding his resignation.
Within the Congress, discontent is reportedly brewing, as several leaders and workers have warned that his continuation as MLA could damage the party’s credibility ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
So far, neither Mamkootathil nor the Congress leadership has issued an official response to the viral audio clip.
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Hailstorm brings relief to Bengaluru from scorching summer
Bengaluru (PTI): Bringing much relief to the people battered by the scorching summer, heavy rains coupled with hailstorm lashed the city on Wednesday.
The thunderous downpour with stormy wind cooled the city, where the temperature had soared to 37 degree.
With the rains, the city, from being parched, witnessed waterlogging in just two hours.
There was waist-deep water in many areas in the city such as Richmond Town and Shanthinagar resembling a river.
The unexpected rain did not spare Vidhana Soudha, the seat of power, as water gushed inside the government offices from the lobby. The office of the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka was also flooded.
Since the downpour occurred in the evening, many office goers struggled to return home.
Uprooting of trees was reported in many parts of the city, including Malleswaram, Shanthinagar and Seshadripuram.
