'Simply politics, will intervene if needed'; High court issues strict warning

KOCHI: The High Court ordered that the appeal filed by Vaishna Suresh, a Congress candidate from the Muttada ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, be considered by the State Election Commission today and a proper decision be announced by Wednesday. Otherwise, the court will exercise its powers, Justice P.V. Kunhikrishnan warned.

The High Court, which strongly criticised the removal of Vaishna's name from the voter list, also showed surprise in the dispute against the candidature of a 24-year-old woman. The court called it political manoeuvring. The court also asked authorities to ensure that the opportunity for the 24-year-old to contest elections is not taken away on technical grounds.

In a sardonic take, the court asked if anyone had doubts about the nationality of the 24-year-old Vaishna. The interim order was issued on a petition filed by Vaishna.

The court also criticised the corporation that opposed the petition. Since the last date for filing nominations is 21, advocate George Poonthottam, appearing for Vaishna, argued that the appeal should be considered and an order be issued to include her in the Muttada voter list. The petition will be considered again on the 20th.

Vaishna's name was removed on the grounds that the TC number with her name in the voter list was wrong and belonged to another person. This was in response to a complaint filed by CPM activist Dhanesh Kumar.