Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress party is facing sharp internal divisions over the issue of former Youth Congress president Rahul Mankootathil. While Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan has taken a tough stand against Rahul, KPCC president Sunny Joseph MLA and UDF convenor Adoor Prakash, along with other senior leaders, have come out in support of Rahul. This has left Satheesan in an isolated position within the party.

Satheesan had written to the Speaker demanding that Rahul be excluded from the Opposition bloc, declaring that Rahul is not part of the UDF. However, Sunny Joseph and Adoor Prakash have stated that there is no bar on Rahul attending the Assembly. The old "A group" leaders are standing strongly behind Rahul. Shafi Parambil MP, P.C. Vishnunath MLA, and former KPCC president M.M. Hassan have also openly supported Rahul.

Speaker to grant Rahul a separate block
Speaker A.N. Shamseer announced at a press conference that Rahul Mankootathil would be given a separate block in the Assembly. This decision came after receiving the Opposition Leader’s letter seeking Rahul’s removal from the Opposition bloc. The Speaker clarified that a special block would be arranged behind the Opposition benches.

There is no restriction on Rahul attending Assembly sessions. However, he will not be allowed to participate in adjournment discussions. It is for Rahul himself to decide whether to attend the House or not. The Speaker also mentioned that he only came to know of Rahul’s suspension from the party through newspaper reports, and that Rahul has not submitted any leave application.

KPCC leadership meeting today
A meeting of KPCC office bearers and DCC presidents will be held at 10 a.m. today at Indira Bhavan to discuss the Rahul Mankootathil issue. After resigning from the Youth Congress president’s post, Rahul has been keeping away from public events and is currently staying at his home in Adoor. P.C. Vishnunath and Shafi Parambil are actively trying to bring Rahul back to the Assembly.