In the heart of Kerala’s political scene, a big controversy is brewing in the Congress party over suspended leader Rahul Mamkootathil and whether he should show up for the upcoming Assembly session. This drama is shining a light on the deep-rooted factional fights within the Kerala Congress unit, putting the party’s unity and leadership to the test.
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan is digging in his heels, firmly saying Mamkootathil must stay out. His team worries that if the suspended leader attends, it could steal the thunder from the opposition’s key issues in the Assembly. Instead, it might give the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) an easy way to dodge tough questions and focus on Congress’s own “disciplinary problems.”
For Satheesan, this isn’t just about one person—it’s a real challenge to his power in steering the party’s direction. But pushback is strong. The A-group, once led by veteran A.K. Antony, and other party sections argue that keeping Mamkootathil away would hurt their fight against the Left government. They point out that LDF MLAs with serious allegations still sit in the House, so why should Congress hold itself to tougher rules? To them, sidelining Mamkootathil feels like a political mistake and an unfair double standard.
Senior Congress leaders are trying hard to paint a picture of unity. They stress that Mamkootathil’s suspension wasn’t Satheesan’s solo call—it was a team decision by the party’s top brass, backed by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) and announced by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president.
Satheesan addressed the media on Thursday, firing back at the rumors. “At first, the media accused me of going soft to protect this young leader. Now they say I’m plotting to ruin him. How can one person do both? Everyone knows the complainant isn’t even a Youth Congress worker. Expect more such theatrics,” he said with a mix of frustration and sarcasm.
Still, the party’s rush to highlight “collective responsibility” hints at cracks underneath. The A-group is murmuring that Satheesan rushed the suspension, even as some wanted stricter action and others preferred a lighter touch.
With the Kerala Assembly session kicking off next week, Congress could enter the floor looking divided. On one side, leaders defend the suspension; on the other, internal grumbling grows louder. The way the party handles this will show if Satheesan can tighten his grip on leadership or if old factional deals will call the shots once more in Kerala politics.
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