Dreamlike growth, unexpected fall

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rahul Mamkootathil’s rise in Kerala politics was a dream-like journey—something no other young leader had achieved in recent times. His fall was just as unexpected. Even his party colleagues and political opponents believed he had the sharpness and ability to reach the top. But it was this very aggressive style that eventually led to his setback.

His biggest strength was his oratory. Rahul often dominated channel debates with fact-based arguments, gaining a star-like image among the public. This visibility became the foundation for his political growth. His political entry was not backed by family legacy. During his school years at Adoor Thapovan School and Pandalam St. John’s Public School, he was focused only on academics. His involvement in student politics began in 2006 when he joined Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, through KSU.

From 2009 to 2017, he served as KSU district secretary, became district president in 2017, then state general secretary. In 2018, he became the national general secretary of NSUI.

Known as an impressive speaker, he became Youth Congress state general secretary in 2020 and also a KPCC member the same year. When Shafi Parambil resigned as state president of the Youth Congress in 2023, Rahul was chosen as his successor. An allegation that fake ID cards were created during organisational elections cast a shadow on his win, but his later growth made that controversy irrelevant. His active presence in protests won him supporters even among those who once opposed him. Police action and lock-up incidents only strengthened his image.

His elevation was not accidental After Shafi Parambil won the Lok Sabha election from Vadakara, it was not a coincidence that Rahul became the natural successor in the Palakkad assembly constituency. Rahul’s candidature came with Shafi’s strong recommendation and the approval of Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan. Rahul’s sweeping victory also had behind it the tears shed by Dr P. Sarin, the former KPCC Digital Media Convenor. Although Sarin had left the Congress and was fielded by the CPI(M) as the opposing candidate, Rahul won with a majority of 18,840 votes. Rahul took oath as an MLA on December 4, 2024, and exactly one year later, on December 4, 2025, he had to leave the party- a striking coincidence.