Kerala's Congress party expelled Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on Thursday. The decision came amid allegations of rape, forced abortion, and sexual misconduct. This move arrives less than 100 hours before the first phase of local body elections. The party had delayed action despite the serious charges. Observers say the late expulsion aims to limit damage to the Congress and the United Democratic Front's poll prospects, especially among women. Former KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran said, "It is a fact that some confusion had prevailed among the public following the controversies surrounding the legislator. However, after expelling him from the party, the Congress has come clean and is now on a strong footing. The party has upheld its moral conviction through the action." Ramachandran added that Mr. Mamkootathil should quit as MLA, saying, "After his expulsion from the organisation, the party has nothing to do with him. Now, it is his personal choice whether to continue as an MLA or not. It would be better if he resigned from the post." Political analyst G. Gopakumar criticized the delayed expulsion for harming the party's image amid existing challenges like the Sabarimala controversies. He said early action could have saved the party's face and avoided the impression of shielding the legislator. Congress MP Benny Behanan said, "The legislator should have surrendered before the law immediately after the controversies erupted. Such an act from his side would have saved himself and the organisation from political ignominy. The whole controversy also would have died down by now, had he yielded himself to the law." Youth Congress state general secretary Sajana B. Sajan, who had demanded strict action, said her stand was proven right with the expulsion. She acknowledged some party leaders' hesitance but stated, "Yet, the expulsion cannot be termed as a delayed action and the developments are unlikely to leave any impact on the poll prospects of the party." The controversy has also sparked social media backlash. The Left's youth wing vowed political action against Mr. Mamkootathil. DYFI workers criticized his remarks about their food distribution programme and pledged symbolic protests. Legally, Mr. Mamkootathil still has options; a district court refused his anticipatory bail on Thursday, but a Kerala High Court pre-arrest bail application remains possible.