The high court had set aside the election of Shaji after the losing CPM candidate M V Nikesh Kumar petitioned that the IUML leader made communal remarks during election campaigning in 2016.

The high court had set aside the election of Shaji after the losing CPM candidate M V Nikesh Kumar petitioned that the IUML leader made communal remarks during election campaigning in 2016.

The high court had set aside the election of Shaji after the losing CPM candidate M V Nikesh Kumar petitioned that the IUML leader made communal remarks during election campaigning in 2016.

Thiruvananthapuram: Azhikode MLA K M Shaji is no more a member of the assembly, said the assembly secretary on Monday.

The stay on disqualification of Shaji was valid until November 23. Since neither the Supreme Court nor the high court has extended the stay, Shaji ceases to be a member of the assembly, said a bulletin released by the secretary.

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Speaker Sreeramakrishnan has made it clear that Shaji won’t be able to attend the assembly session that begins on Tuesday. The Speaker said that until the order is overruled, the disqualification would continue.

The high court had set aside the election of Shaji after the losing CPM candidate M V Nikesh Kumar petitioned that the IUML leader made communal remarks during election campaigning in 2016. Shaji had moved the Supreme Court against the high court order and the apex court had orally remarked that he could participate in assembly proceedings.

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The Speaker said that court’s observation alone won't be enough and a written order would be needed to allow Shaji to attend the assembly session. The assembly secretary's bulletin follows this even as the 13th session of the current legislative assembly begins at 9 am on Tuesday.