By The Hindu Bureau

Copyright thehindu

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Palakkad district secretary E.N. Suresh Babu sparked a fresh controversy on Thursday by insinuating that legislator Rahul Mamkootathil’s “headmaster” in the Congress was fearful of disavowing the MLA, despite grave accusations of serial sexual misconduct.

Mr. Babu alleged that the leader who rolled out the red carpet for Mr. Mamkootathil in the Palakkad Assembly bypoll was notorious for soliciting “personable women to accompany him to Bengaluru.” He alleged that the leader and Mr. Mamkootathil were “partners in crime.”

When queried about the identity of Mr. Mamkootathil’s so-called “headmaster,” Mr. Babu said journalists were free to draw their own independent inferences.

However, Congress leaders took umbrage at Mr. Babu’s insinuations. Party workers protested in Palakkad town against Mr. Babu’s “slanderous targeting” of Shafi Parambil, MP.

Later, Mr. Parambil condemned Mr. Babu’s “libellous slander.” Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan told reporters in Thrissur that Mr. Parambil would sue Mr. Babu for the slight. Mr Babu welcomed their challenge.

Meanwhile, Mr Mamkootathil spent the second day of his Palakkad visit touring the Assembly segment, glad-handing constituents and hearing petitioners in his office, signalling that it was business as usual for him.

Notably, a seemingly increasing number of Congress leaders appeared to see nothing amiss in broadcasting a personal proximity with the legislator.

The CPI(M) and the BJP stated that the Congress’ “embrace of Mr. Mamkootathil” belied the party’s “insincere talk and wariness” about holding the “wayward legislator” to account.

Mr. Satheesan told reporters in Thrissur that he would greet Mr. Mamkootathil if the occasion arose. He defended Congress leader Benny Behanan’s “welcoming” of Mr. Mamkootathil at a private event in Palakkad.

“Mr Mamkootathil remains a party colleague, though struck off the organisational rolls temporarily based on a collective leadership decision. There is no animus towards him,” he added.

Palakkad District Congress Committee president A. Thankappan said the party had made no call to “ostracise” Mr. Mamkootathil.

Notably, Kerala Students Union and Youth Congress workers constantly accompanied Mr. Mamkootathil.

N.N. Krishnadas, a CPI(M) State committee member, told reporters in Palakkad that deterring Mr. Mamkootathil was not the party’s business. “He is Congress’ festering political liability,” he said.

The DYFI had stated that it would continue to lampoon Mr. Mamkootathil. Its activists had posed as “town criers” warning women and children of Mr. Mamkootathil’s arrival on Wednesday. The DYFI said such innovative satirical campaigning targeting the MLA would continue.

Meanwhile, the BJP said it would ratchet up its aggressive street campaign against the MLA.