Thiruvananthapuram, Dec. 5 -- The Kerala unit of the Congress on Thursday expelled rape-accused Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on the same day a district court in Thiruvananthapuram rejected the latter's plea for anticipatory bail in the case.

Mamkootathil (36), a first-time MLA, faces serious charges of raping a woman, forcing her to get an abortion, and issuing verbal threats among others. He has also been accused by a second woman of raping her on the pretext of marriage and causing grievous physical injuries. The legislator is currently absconding.

Kerala Pradesh Congress committee chief Sunny Joseph told reporters in Idukki, "Rahul Mamkootathil stands expelled from the Congress. We had sought the approval of the AICC on the issue,...