Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 24 -- Congress MLA from Palakkad and former Kerala Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil has been hit by a storm of sexual misconduct allegations, forcing him to step down from his party post and triggering demands for stronger disciplinary action.

The controversy broke out last week when several women, including an actress, a writer, and a trans activist, accused Mamkootathil of harassment and abusive behaviour.

The actress alleged that the MLA repeatedly sent her sexually explicit and harassing messages and invited her to hotels under false pretexts.

The trans activist claimed that Mamkootathil confided a disturbing "rape fantasy" during conversations and suggested meeting her in Bengaluru or Hyderabad. ...