THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan has said MLA K M Shaji won’t be able to take part in Assembly proceedings though the Supreme Court has made oral observation in favour of him.

The MLA had been disqualified by the high court for making religious polarisation during the election. “The oral observation will not suffice. Shaji can be permitted inside the Assembly only if we get the official communique on the court’s observation. This matter will be communicated to K M Shaji,” the Speaker said.

The Supreme Court had earlier orally stated that Shaji could take part in Assembly proceedings. While clarifying that there was no hindrance for Shaji to attend Assembly sessions, the apex court told him not to accept benefits from the Assembly.

The Supreme Court has made the favourable observation a day ahead of the expiry of the stay on the high court order that disqualified the MLA.

The oral observation was made by a bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi.