BJP district leadership rejects Municipal Chairperson who shared stage with Rahul Mamkootathil

PALAKKAD: Palakkad Municipal Chairperson Prameela Sasidharan has landed in controversy after sharing a stage with Rahul Mamkootathil MLA. The incident has sparked mixed reactions within the BJP, with some party leaders defending her and others criticising her. However, Prameela has maintained that she will explain the matter directly to the state leadership.

The controversy arose after Prameela attended the inauguration of the Stadium Bypass–District Hospital Link Road, a project funded through Rahul Mamkootathil’s MLA fund. The BJP had earlier taken a clear stance that Rahul should not be invited to public events, following the sexual harassment allegations made against him by some young women. For some time, the MLA had stayed away from public functions, but recently started attending inaugurations, including the KSRTC bus service launch and this road opening. Both the BJP and CPM had earlier said they would oppose his public appearances.

BJP district president Prashanth Sivan said that the party’s position was clear—leaders should not share a stage with MLA Rahul Mamkootathil.

“Prameela did something she shouldn’t have. The state leadership is looking into the matter, and it has already been discussed in party forums,” he said.

However, BJP National Council member N Sivarajan defended Prameela, saying she attended the event in her capacity as Chairperson, not as a political ally. “She was not aware that Rahul would be attending. There is nothing wrong in cooperating with him on development matters,” he added.