The controversy sparked by trans woman Avanthika Vishnu's allegations about Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil's purported text messages has taken a new turn with Transgender Congress state secretary Anna Raju claiming that the issue is "politically motivated".
Anna Raju said the allegations were made in consultation with BJP leaders as Avanthika came forward after Rahul became Palakkad MLA and less than a year before the Kerala is heading to the assembly elections.
This comes after Avanthika alleged that Rahul sent her messages, saying he wanted to rape her and asked her to meet him in Bengaluru or Hyderabad. Anna said that she and Avanthika were staying together in a house three years ago and that she was with her when she called and messaged Rahul.
Anna claimed that Avanthika told her about having a crush on Rahul as well as Palakkad BJP district president Prashanth Sivan. She also alleged that Avanthika extorted money from others by threatening to put their jobs at risk. "She had filed four cases at Kottayam police station in the past and took money in two of the cases," Anna said, adding that Avanthika wanted to stain Rahul's image.
Anna said if Rahul has done anything wrong, Avanthika should have come forward three years ago when according to her the messages in question were sent. She also pointed out that Avanthika is aware of the Transgender Protection Act, 2019, question why she never brought up the allegations when the incident is said to have happened.
Following sexual misconduct allegations by multiple women, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) suspended Rahul from the party’s primary membership. He had also resigned from the post of Youth Congress state president.
"The Congress views the allegations against Rahul seriously. Without waiting for police complaints or an FIR, he resigned from his post as Youth Congress chief," said KPCC president Sunny Joseph on Monday.