Kerala High Court Cancels Election Of CPM MLA Raja From Devikulam Reserved Seat For Forging Caste Certificate To Hide Christian Faith

The Kerala High Court has set aside the victory of the incumbent CPM MLA from the Devikulam reserved constituency in the 2021 state assembly elections.

The court decided on a petition filed by Congress leader D Kumar, who finished runner-up in the constituency, alleging that Raja was a Christian and not qualified to contest the Devikulam seat reserved for the members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

In his plea, Kumar had alleged that Raja is a Christian, baptised at a church in the hill district, and submitted a fake certificate to prove that he belongs to the SC community. Kumar also cited the solemnisation of Raja's marriage at the church and other evidence that suggest his Christian faith.

In the petition, Kumar pointed out that Raja was born to Antony and Esther, members of the CSI church at Mattupetti Kundala east division. Raja's mother was cremated according to the Christian rituals, and the family regularly attends church, the petition argued.

Raja defeated Kumar by a margin of 7,848 votes in the 2021 polls.

With the disqualification of A Raja MLA, the strength of CPM members in the assembly reduces from 62 to 61. The ruling LDF alliance has the support of over 90 members in the state assembly.

Raja made the headlines when he proceeded to take the oath of office in Tamil as an MLA in the Kerala Assembly.

Devikulam seat is dominated by Tamils, who constitute 62 per cent of the electorate. Among the majority electorate, voters from Pallar and Paraya communities determine the outcome.

Raja was given the party ticket in 2021 after CPM denied renomination to sitting legislator Rajendran. Rajendran faced the ire of CPM's top leadership over allegations that he plotted to defeat Raja in the election by fomenting caste division. Rajendran is an influential figure belonging to the Pallar community, while Raja claims he is from the Parayar caste.