'I will be in Palakkad in coming days, everyone will see that for themselves'

PALAKKAD: After evading the police for a few days, Rahul Mamkootathil arrived in Palakkad on Thursday to cast his vote and was welcomed by Congress workers. While Congress workers greeted him with flowers, CPM workers raised slogans when the MLA arrived at the polling booth. Rahul had gone into hiding after a woman filed a sexual harassment complaint against him with the Chief Minister. He came out of hiding only to vote. The MLA arrived to vote at the Kunathurmedu South division of the Palakkad Municipality.

Rahul told the media that both statements against him and those in his favour are before the court, and the court will decide. However, he did not respond when asked why he went into hiding. "I would explain everything in court, and I'm sure that the truth would prevail. Being in a democratic country, I have the right to present my side in court. I don't intend to comment further at the moment," Rahul said.

Rahul said he will remain in Palakkad in the coming days, and everyone will see that for themselves. There are currently two cases against him. The first complaint alleges that he sexually assaulted a woman after promising marriage and later forced her to undergo an abortion. The second alleges that he called her under the pretext of marriage and then brutally raped her.

He received anticipatory bail in one case, while regular bail with conditions was granted in the second. The Congress had expelled Rahul Mamkootathil from the party’s primary membership on the same day his anticipatory bail was denied.