Kerala High Court disqualifies IUML MLA

NEW DELHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday disqualified an Indian Union Muslim League MLA on a plea claiming that he used religion to win the Assembly polls in 2016.nnDisqualifying K M Shaji, who had won the elections from Azhikode Assembly constituency in 2016, for six years, Justice P D Rajan directed the Kerala Assembly Speaker and the Election Commission to take appropriate action.nnThe court gave the judgement on a plea filed by LDF candidate M V Nikesh Kumar, who contested the election against Shaji.nnIUML is a partner of the Congress-led opposition UDF in the state.nnIn his petition, Nikesh Kumar alleged that Shaji secured a win by a margin of 2,287 votes using corrupt practices.nnHe accused Shaji of having violated norms prescribed under various sections of the Representation of the People Act to win the elections.nnNikesh had alleged that an appeal was made to voters by Shaji, who belongs to the Muslim community, his agents and other persons to vote for the UDF candidate on grounds of his religion.nnHe had also charged that pamphlets were circulated in the constituency urging people not to vote for a candidate who is not a believer of the Islamic faith.nnIUML said it will take a decision on filing an appeal after getting the judgement copy.