CPI(M) rejects Opposition demand for Mukesh’s resignation from MLA post

CPI(M) State secretary defends MLA facing sexual misconduct allegations, criticizes opposition's demand for resignation based on moral grounds.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary M.V. Govindan rejected the Opposition’s demand that M. Mukesh, MLA, relinquish his elected position because the actor faced a police investigation for alleged sexual misdemeanours, including abuse and exploitation of co-stars. 

Mr. Govindan said that Mr. Mukesh held no executive position in the government. The CPI(M) legislator was an accused, and a court of law had yet to find him guilty.

Director Ranjith, who is facing similar charges, had resigned as chairperson of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy, given the executive nature of the post. If the court absolved Mr. Ranjith of wrongdoing, the government could reinstate him in the post. However, if a legislator resigned on moral grounds, the election law did not envisage the person’s reinstatement to the elected position.

Mr. Govindan said the police have charged two Congress legislators in Kerala with rape. The CPI(M) has not demanded their resignation, quoting moral grounds, because of the technicality of the law that prevented their restoration if found innocent by a court. He said the Congress should stop its groundless clamour for Mr. Mukesh’s exit. 

Quoting the latest National Election Watch Report, Mr. Govindan said 135 legislators and 16 MPs faced charges ranging from rape to outraging the modesty of women. The BJP topped the chart with 54 accused, followed by the Congress (23), TDP (17) and AAP (13). “They are all serving their elected term,” he added. 

Mr. Govindan said that the CPI(M) did not demand the resignation of the late Oommen Chandy and Anil Kumar as MLAs and Peethambara Kurup, Shashi Tharoor, and Hiby Eden as MPs when the leaders faced similar accusations. 

The LDF removed Ministers, including P.J. Joseph, Jose Thettayil, and Neelalohitadasan Nadar, from their executive posts after they faced accusations of sexual wrongdoing. “If an MLA or MP resigns on moral grounds, the person cannot reclaim their elected office on moral grounds. The laws that government elections do not envisage such a situation,” he said.