130th Amendment sparks Congress fury as Kerala leader Rahul Mangkootam MLA faces sleaze charges; BJP ramps up protests

The introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirtieth Amendment) Bill, 2025, has set off a political storm with the Congress party leading the opposition against the proposed legislation. The Bill mandates that any Minister, including the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, who remains in custody for thirty consecutive days on serious criminal charges, will automatically lose their position. The ruling BJP has defended the Bill as a step towards ensuring accountability and integrity in public office. However, Congress has slammed the move as “draconian” and politically motivated, alleging that it is aimed at targeting opposition leaders. Senior leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury voiced his criticism on Wednesday, accusing the BJP of using its parliamentary majority to push the amendment for electoral advantage.

While the political debate rages in Delhi, fresh allegations from Kerala have added a sensational twist to the controversy, hinting at why Congress fears the implications of this Bill. Actress Rini George recently revealed persistent harassment by a young political leader in Kerala, sparking widespread discussions. Without naming him, her statements and subsequent developments have pointed fingers at a Youth Congress state president and sitting MLA from Palakkad, Rahul Mangkootam.

Rini detailed the disturbing behaviour of the unnamed leader, claiming that he exploited technology to shield himself from exposure. According to her, the leader used Telegram secret chats for messaging and video calls, ensuring no trace could be left behind. “The chats are very secret, not in a way that we can take a screenshot. Even if we come on a video call, it comes under a smokescreen, that is, under the cover of darkness. Even if we take a screenshot, we cannot prove that this is him,” she said.

The actress accused him of a systematic pattern of psychological manipulation without making marriage promises but creating a misleading impression to gain trust. She explained how attempts were repeatedly made to lure her into private spaces under the guise of friendship. “The last message came in February of this year. The message was to somehow slowly and gradually get him to like her. Talk softly in various ways. Talk in a friendly manner… Many attempts were made to get us into his private space,” Rini revealed.

According to her, several women within Congress party faced similar issues but remained silent out of fear and lack of evidence. “If there is one thing inside this, one important reason why most people do not come forward with complaints is that this person is very good at destroying evidence… He treats women with such criminal intelligence,” she said.

Rini admitted she initially trusted the leader, only to later realise he was a “constant troublemaker.” Even wives and daughters of party leaders were not spared, she alleged, raising questions about the culture within Congress. “Which woman are political leaders going to protect if they do not protect their own wives and children?” she asked, citing widespread misconduct.

Her decision to speak out was driven by repeated frustration. “Even if the case goes ahead, there is no point in moving forward in the organization, and there is no justice for women… That is my issue,” she said, adding that she had no faith in internal mechanisms to ensure fairness.

Meanwhile, the storm within the Congress intensified when a woman leader in the Kerala Youth Congress WhatsApp group demanded that the allegations against Rahul Mangkootam be addressed internally. “The allegation of being a womanizer is constantly being made. The allegation cannot be dismissed with a laugh. The one who is at fault should at least stay away,” the message stated. Reports indicate that complaints against the young leader had earlier reached both state and national leaderships, but no decisive action was taken.

As the controversy deepens, BJP is organising protests outside the Palakkad MLA’s office. The BJP march last night ended in clashes when police stopped demonstrators. The South Police Station was later blockaded as activists demanded the release of those detained during the protest. BJP has announced plans to escalate its agitation in the coming days.

BJP leader Krishnakumar alleged that the MLA is “a person who is active at night,” further claiming that women in Congress are reluctant to attend Rahul’s programmes. These remarks come amid growing outrage over why Congress, despite repeated complaints, failed to act against its own leader.

The latest revelations have left the Congress embarrassed at a time when it is vehemently opposing a Bill that seeks to remove ministers facing serious criminal allegations. With the party already grappling with internal dissent and now staring at a scandal involving its youth leadership, the BJP’s push for the 130th Amendment is being positioned as a measure to enforce political accountability that something the opposition appears increasingly unwilling to embrace.