'It is up to Rahul to decide whether he should cling on or not, party will not hesitate to take stronger actions'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress leader K Muraleedharan said that the party would not hesitate to take stronger action against Rahul Mamkootathil. "It is up to Rahul to decide whether he should cling on or not. What Uma Thomas MLA expressed reflects the feelings of the women of Kerala," Muraleedharan said.

“Rahul was made the candidate by the Congress and the UDF. Now, both are saying they don’t want to continue with him. It is up to Rahul to decide whether he should cling on or not. For now, suspension is the only step the party has taken. Further decisions will be made later,” Muraleedharan said.

"The authenticity of the leaked audio needs to be verified. Rahul Mamkootathil has been given time to explain. This suspension is not permanent, but it signals that the party will not hesitate to take stronger actions. Congress will not give him the usual privileges of a party member,” he said.

Rahul Mamkootathil was suspended from primary membership following repeated allegations against him. He has been suspended for six months. However, the party has not asked him to resign from his MLA post. During this period, he will not be part of the Congress or UDF parliamentary party meetings. Party sources indicated that they did not demand his resignation as MLA because it could lead to a by-election. Still, Rahul will not be included in the parliamentary party during assembly sessions.