Setback to Swaraj: HC dismisses plea against K Babu’s election from Tripunithura

Kochi: In a setback to M Swaraj, the High Court dismissed the petition filed by him seeking invalidation of the election of Congress MLA K Babu from the Tripunithura Constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections. As a result, Babu can continue as the Tripunithura MLA. The significant order was passed by Justice P G Ajithkumar.

Swaraj, also the former CPM MLA from Tripunithura, had moved the High Court seeking to annul the election result in the constituency, alleging that Babu had used religious symbols such as Lord Ayyappa during his poll campaigns to canvas votes in his favour.

As a result, the election was vitiated by corrupt practices under several provisions of The Representation of The People Act, he had also alleged in the petition.

Babu also later moved the Supreme Court seeking to dismiss Swaraj’s petition. However, the plea was quashed by the apex court which had then maintained that the petition of Swaraj will stand, and that the high court can continue with its proceedings on his petition. Following which the final hearing on the petition was held at the high court. 

Babu had won the assembly election in 2021 by 992 votes. Till the last round of counting, the constituency saw a neck and neck contest between him and Swaraj. Babu has been the MLA for 25 continuous years in Tripunithura seat. However, Swaraj defeated Babu by 4,471 votes in the 2016 assembly elections after the latter got involved in the bar scam. (wtih inputs from PTI)