THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It appears that the KPCC leadership has almost given up on Eldhose Kunnappilly MLA, as it feels that there is no need to go into hiding if he had not committed the crime. The leadership may take action after knowing the court's decision on the anticipatory bail plea of Eldhose Kunnappilly. The court will consider the anticipatory bail plea on Saturday.

KPCC President K Sudhakaran has sent a letter to Kunnappilly asking him to give an explanation by October 20. The KPCC is unlikely to wait for his reply if the court rejects the bail plea. If the court rejects the anticipatory bail plea, the police will arrest Kunnapilly. The leadership believes that it will cause shame for the party.

The allegation against Eldhose came as an unexpected blow when the leadership was aiming for a strong comeback in the state following the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The leadership also reckons that the party will suffer a setback if it supports the MLA at this stage. That is why K Sudhakaran and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said that they will take uncompromising action and that they will not protect Eldhose. If the party does not take action against Eldhose, political opponents will use it as a big weapon against the Congress.

Kunnapilly's absconding has further provoked the Congress leaders. They are not able to contact him by phone. The leadership is also angry that he did not communicate with the party when the allegations were raised. The district crime branch has registered a case by slapping rape charges against Kunnappilly on the woman's statement. The Speaker has also responded that there is no obstacle to taking legal action against the MLA.

Although the CPM has not directly demanded Kunnappilly's resignation, it has put the Congress under pressure by stating that it was a matter of ethics for Congress whether to allow a person accused of rape to continue as an MLA.