K Babu to continue as Tripunithura MLA; HC quashes M Swaraj's petition

KOCHI: Tripunithura MLA K Babu can now heave a sigh of relief after the High Court on Thursday dismissed the plea filed by LDF candidate Swaraj. It was Justice P G Ajith Kumar who pronounced the verdict allowing K Babu to resume as MLA. Interestingly, the judge delivered a one-line verdict.

The petition alleged that there had been a violation of rules in the campaign of K. Babu in the 2021 elections. The crux of the allegation highlighted the UDF campaigning that used the image of lord Ayyappa in the voters’ slip issued to people. Swaraj pointed out this as a violation of the election code and approached the court.

In the complaint, the UDF’s campaign slogan was also mentioned which said that “If K Babu loses this election, it is akin to lord Ayyappa losing”. Swaraj claimed this use of religion as a violation of the Representation of the People Act. Photographs of campaign materials were submitted as evidence. Meanwhile, K Babu alleged that the documents submitted by Swaraj were fake.

In March last year, the High Court approved Swaraj's plea against K Babu which forced the latter to approach the Supreme Court for respite. However, K Babu received a setback as SC quashed his petition. In the 2021 Tripunithura election, K Babu emerged victorious by a thin wafer margin of 992 votes.

K Babu responded that he was happy with the High Court's verdict. Babu even asked the media and the left party to not indulge anymore in unnecessary litigation and requested all to respect the court order.