Kochi, Jan. 11 -- Kerala Leader of the Opposition VD Satheeshan defended the Congress party's actions following the arrest of expelled MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, asserting that the party had acted decisively even before formal complaints were received. Satheeshan said Mamkootathil was first suspended and later expelled after a complaint reached the KPCC president.

Stressing that the Congress had taken stronger action than most, Satheeshan said, "Even before receiving a single complaint, we suspended him. When a complaint was received to the KPCC president, he was expelled from the party. Ask Minister P Rajeev to check how many such people are there in his own party."

"We do not have the authority at present to ask for an MLA's resignation....