Palakkad, March 9 -- Expelled Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil on Monday announced that he will not contest as an independent candidate from the Palakkad constituency in the upcoming Assembly polls in Kerala. He stated that he will respect the party's decision regarding his candidacy.

Mamkootathil said that he feels encouraged when Congress workers inquire about his potential independent run, but clarified that he cannot campaign for the party at the moment due to his expulsion from its membership.

He noted that it was the party that previously encouraged him to contest, and he will adhere to their guidance on whether he should contest the elections or not. "Whether I should contest or not is for the party to decide. If the party asks me...