Pinarayi Vijayan (left) and Rahul Mamkootathil.
Credit: PTI Photos
Thiruvananthapuram: While Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has termed rape accused expelled Congress MLA a 'sexual pervert', opposition leader V D Satheesan of the Congress has alleged that the MLA's arrest is being delayed deliberately to divert attention from Sabarimala gold heist and other issues against the government as the local body polls are approaching.
Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who is accused in two rape cases, is absconding over the last nine days. There were allegations that he was being provided hideout with the help of some Congress leaders in Karnataka.
"From the complaints received against the MLA it is clear that he is a sexual pervert. His acts were highly unbecoming of a MLA. Congress leaders were promoting him even after they were aware of his immoral acts. The Congress was spoiling its legacy by protecting such people," the Chief Minister told reporters in Kochi on Friday.
Vijayan also countered Congress's criticism that the CPI(M) did not act against actor-turned MLA M Mukesh while a rape case was registered against him. "There are some other Congress MLAs who also faced rape cases and the Congress did not act against them," he said by referring to Congress MLAs M Vincent and Eldhose Kunnapillil.
Congress leader Satheesan said that even as the police could easily nab him they were delaying his arrest owing to political pressure from the CPI(M) government. "The government's intention is nothing but diverting attention from the Sabarimala gold heist in which CPI(M) leaders are held. CPI(M) wants to divert attention from the anti-incumbency factor against the LDF government until the local body polls on December 9 and 11 are over," Satheesan said.
Mamkootathil moves HC
Meanwhile, Mamkootathil filed an anticipatory bail plea at the Kerala High Court on Friday, a day after a court in Thiruvananthapuram denied him anticipatory bail.
He reiterated his earlier position that he only had consensual relationship with the complainant and he did not compel her to terminate pregnancy. He also alleged that there was political pressure on the complainant to lodge the belated petition against him.