KOCHI: The Kerala high court has stayed the order that it passed earlier, disqualifying MLA K M Shaji. The Kerala High Court on Friday morning had declared void the election of K M Shaji from the Azhikode constituency. The court passed the order on the plea filed by his opponent Nikesh Kumar.

Nikesh had approached the court against Shaji, accusing him indulging in communal polarization during the polls. The court ruled that Shaji cannot contest the elections for six years.

Now, the stay will be in effect for two weeks. The case will be considered again on Tuesday. Sonn after the verdict disqualifying him, Shaji moved the court pleading for stay on the order that disqualified him for six years.

“Giving appeal in the Supreme Court and getting its order may take more time. During this period there will be no MLA in Azhikode constituency. Under these circumstances, kindly allow a stay on the order temporarily,” Shaji’s counsel submitted before the court.
However, the court asked Shaji to deposit Rs 50,000 towards the legal expense of Nikesh Kumar, within one week.

Nikesh earlier could convince the court that Muslim League candidate Shaji had diverted votes through communal polarisation. However, the court, rejecting Nikesh Kumar’s demand to announce him winner, ordered conduct of the election again.

In the last Assembly polls, K M Shaji defeated LDF candidate Nikesh Kumar in Azhikode by 2462 votes.

What is more important is that the same bench that disqualified Shaji allowed the stay within hours.