THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Congress state leadership had managed to save face by expelling Rahul Mamkootathil, though the decision came very late. However, the party suffered embarrassment on the day of the local body elections as its leaders made contradictory statements about Rahul.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph and Opposition Leader VD Satheesan expressed two different opinions regarding the second sexual harassment complaint filed against Rahul. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan made use of this opportunity to criticise the Congress, saying that society will not accept any attempt to justify wrongdoing against women.

Earlier, on the first day of polling, UDF convenor Adoor Prakash had put the party in a difficult position by saying that actor Dileep had received justice in the actress assau

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