By P. Sreekumaran
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The setting aside by the Kerala High Court of the election of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) legislator K M Shaji constitutes a severe setback for the party, which is the second most powerful constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
The HC’s declaration as void the election of Shaji from Azhikode assembly constituency for canvassing votes on the basis of religion deals a debilitating body blow to the reputation and credibility of IUML. The unkindest cut has been the severe jolt administered by the court verdict to the self-esteem of the IUML, which prides itself on being a secular party.
However, the court has stayed for two weeks the implementation of its order so that Shaji can move the Supreme Court.
The IUML is putting on a brave front in the face of the stinging judicial rap. The party is exuding optimism that the order will be reversed in the Supreme Court because the verdict was the result of ‘mean tactics’ adopted by Shaji’s rival LDF candidate MV Nikesh Kumar.
Justice P D Rajan set aside Shaji’s election by noting that publishing a pamphlet against voting for a non-believer of Islam amounted to canvassing votes on the ground of religion, a corrupt practice as per Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The court order has come as a booster shot for the CPI(M), which had lost Azhikode, a traditional stronghold of the party, to Shaji, an outsider.
Interestingly, the controversial pamphlets were seized from the house of a Congress leader.
Shaji has, however, denied the charges and said he would prove it wrong in the apex court. What pained him most was the court’s observation which questioned his secular credentials. “I have always maintained my secular ideals and fought communalism and religious extremism. I did not want the vote of communal elements and openly said this.”
Shaji contended that the Muslim population of Azhikode was only 20 per cent of the electorate and any communal propaganda to influence their voting won’t succeed.
The CPI(M), however, counters this argument. The fact that the pamphlets were distributed only among the Muslim voters in Valapatanam, a Muslim majority area, disproved Shaji’s contention.
Shaj’s allegation all along has been that the pamphlets were distributed at the behest of elements out to tarnish his secular image.
The CPI(M)’s reply to this has been that if that was the case, why did not the IUML file a complaint against the ‘objectionable’ pamphlet during the course of the campaign? The IUML has not been able to come up with a convincing explanation for its failure to do so far.
The court order has come as a big embarrassment for the UDF as well. The other constituents of the IJUML in the UDF are now pinning their hopes on the Supreme Court which they hope will reverse the HC verdict.
Needless to say, the verdict has galvanized the CPI(M) cadres and leaders. They are sure that in the event of a by-election, the LDF would be able to wrest the seat from the IUML. (IPA Service)
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