A Betrayal of Trust: Congress Councillor Sandhya's Stinging Resignation Over Alleged Inaction on Harassment Complaint

In a dramatic turn of events that has sent ripples through Kerala's political landscape, Congress Councillor Sandhya has announced her resignation from the Shoranur Municipality, citing profound disillusionment and a deep sense of betrayal. Her resignation stems from what she describes as the party's deliberate inaction and deafening silence regarding her sexual harassment complaint against none other than Youth Congress state president, Rahul Mamkootathil.

Addressing the media with visible anguish, Sandhya revealed that she had formally lodged a complaint against Mamkootathil back in March 2023, following an incident during the KPCC Raj Bhavan march.

For eight agonizing months, she says, her pleas for justice were met with a wall of indifference from the very leadership she had once trusted. Her desperate appeals to prominent figures within the party, including KPCC President K. Sudhakaran, Opposition Leader V. D. Satheesan, and AICC General Secretary K.

C. Venugopal, reportedly yielded no tangible results or even a semblance of a fair inquiry.

Sandhya's decision to sever ties with the party is particularly poignant given her background. She recounted joining the Congress party with a fervent belief in its stated commitment to women's safety and justice.

This belief, she now asserts, has been shattered by the party's handling of her case. “I joined the Congress believing it was a party that stood for women, that would protect their dignity. But what I have experienced is a complete betrayal of that trust,” she stated, her voice heavy with emotion.

Her resignation letter, a stark testament to her anguish, was addressed to the District Congress Committee President.

Beyond her municipal role, Sandhya also intends to withdraw her primary membership from the Congress party, marking a complete separation from the political entity she once championed. This move not only highlights a deeply personal battle but also casts a harsh spotlight on the internal mechanisms of the Congress party concerning accountability and the protection of its female members.

The incident has ignited a crucial debate on how political parties address serious allegations against their prominent leaders.

Sandhya's courageous stand, despite the personal and political cost, serves as a powerful reminder of the imperative for transparency, justice, and swift action in cases of alleged harassment. Her resignation is more than just a political departure; it's a cry for justice that the Congress party, and indeed the broader political establishment, can no longer afford to ignore.