Rahul Mankootathil Attends Mannam Jayanti in Perunna, Expresses Displeasure to P J Kurian

Palakkad MLA Rahul Mankootathil was present at the Mannam Jayanti conference held at the NSS headquarters in Perunna, Kottayam. Despite having been expelled from the Congress party following sexual assault allegations, Mankootathil was notably seated alongside senior Congress leaders at the event.

He occupied a seat in the same row as prominent figures such as Ramesh Chennithala, P J Kurian, Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, P C Vishnunath, and M K Raghavan. An interesting moment occurred when Ramesh Chennithala walked past; Rahul Mankootathil stood up as a gesture of respect, but Chennithala proceeded without acknowledging him. Meanwhile, some attendees at the conference were seen taking selfies with Mankootathil.

During the event, Mankootathil was observed engaging in conversation with veteran Congress leader P J Kurian. It is understood that Mankootathil directly conveyed his dissatisfaction to Kurian regarding statements the latter had made against him on a private television channel. Kurian had reportedly emphasized that while youth should be given opportunities within the party, certain criteria should be adhered to, and specifically suggested that Mankootathil should not be allocated a seat in Palakkad. Mankootathil expressed his displeasure over these remarks to Kurian, highlighting pre-existing tensions between the two leaders.

Mankootathil had previously been suspended from the Congress party following allegations of sexual assault. His primary membership was subsequently revoked after one woman filed a complaint with the Chief Minister, and another woman also came forward with similar accusations. After going into hiding following the registration of the case, Mankootathil recently reappeared to cast his vote in the local elections.