The CPI (M) in Kerala has decided to stand with its legislator Mukesh whose name has cropped up in the #MeToo movement in the wake of the unveiling of the Justice Hema Committee report. The Maradu police recently registered a case against Mukesh for rape, outraging the modesty of a woman, house trespass and other charges based on a complaint lodged by an actress. A local court on Thursday provided relief from arrest to the actor-politician, directing the police not to apprehend him till September 3.
The opposition led by the Congress party has been demanding the resignation of Mukesh. A key ally of the ruling CPI (M) in Kerala, the CPI has also demanded the resignation of the actor who represents Kollam constituency following the rape and sexual assault allegations against him. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam reportedly met Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and told the CM that CPI wants Mukesh to stand aside from politics as a moral obligation in light of the rape charges against him.
The Mahila Congress workers had staged a protest in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday demanding the resignation of Mukesh. The Youth Congress cadres protested in Kollam on Saturday. However, the CPI (M) had decided to defend the actor-politician.
Senior leader and politburo member Brinda Karat blamed the Congress party for practising "petty politics" by accusing the CPI (M) of protecting the accused (read Mukesh) in the case. She said the SIT constituted by the state government has filed cases.
