Varkala Kahar verdict a setback for UDF

The setting aside of the election of Varkala Kahar MLA, from  Varkala constituency by the High Court on Tuesday, was anticipated by the UDF leadership for quite sometime. Though a conditional stay was granted for a month, the verdict has once again given scope for another round of legal battle and a likely bypoll.

 All, including Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Kahar, in spite of his post-verdict reaction that it was an unexpected one, are keeping a watch on the likely development.

 Unless a final reprieve comes from the Supreme Court in the case for Kahar, the state will have to face another bypoll shortly.

 Though for not his own fault the sheen of Kahar’s hat-trick win from the same constituency may not last long was evident soon after the poll outcome in May last year. 

BSP candidate S Prahladan questioned the decision of the returning officer who had rejected his nomination papers on the ground that there was no stamp of the Notary Public, who had certified Prahladan’s affidavit submitted along with the papers.  Given the composition of the Varkala constituency now, including various equations other than political and the acceptance of Kahar as a legislator among the electorate, the UDF may sail through in the event of a bypoll. But given the fast changing political developments in the state and also the schism in the Congress, the UDF Government will have to face a real litmus test once again which is manoeuvring with a wafer-thin majority.

 “The court verdict is a reply to all those who had questioned my credibility,” said Prahladan.

 “I haven’t done anything wrong including indulging in election malpractice or instigating violence. The court has given the verdict on the basis of the finding that the returning officer had rejected the nomination papers of a candidate. I’m not connected to that act in any manner,” said Varkala Kahar,

 “I shall approach the Supreme Court. I’ll face the elections again, if necessary. I’ve absolute faith in the people,” he added.

 Incidentally, Kahar’s victory in 2006 was also challenged. However, CPM candidate S Sundaresan lost the legal battle as the High Court upheld the election.