Overview

• Rahul Mamkootathil remains the Palakkad MLA after resigning as Kerala Youth Congress president and says stepping down from the Assembly is not under consideration.
• Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan signalled tougher action, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala urged his immediate resignation, leaving Mamkootathil increasingly isolated.
• The Kerala Congress decided to set up an inquiry panel to examine the allegations, even as earlier statements highlighted the absence of formal complaints or an FIR.
• An audio clip circulated by Malayalam media purportedly features Mamkootathil pressuring a woman to terminate a pregnancy and issuing threats; he has denied the allegations.
• BJP, CPI(M) and their youth wings escalated protests demanding his ouster, and Kerala cyber police registered a case after writer Honey Bhaskaran reported online abuse linked to her accusations.