Pathanamthitta: Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey was injured in a road accident late Tuesday night while returning after supervising flood relief work in his constituency, hospital sources said on Wednesday.
Doctors at a private hospital in Pathanamthitta said his injuries are not serious and that his condition is stable. He is under observation and is expected to recover fully.
The accident took place at Shutter Mukku in Omalloor when another car, driven by Saji Kumar of Konni, allegedly moved into the path of the MLA’s vehicle and hit it. Kumar was also injured and admitted to a private hospital at Kallissery.
Varkey’s driver Vishnu, along with Jerin and Arun who were travelling with him, suffered minor injuries. Police have registered a case and started an investigation.
Eyewitnesses said the collision was severe and badly damaged the front portions of both vehicles. Local residents and volunteers rushed to the spot, rescued the injured and shifted them to nearby hospitals.
The mishap came after a long day of relief work in flood-hit Aranmula constituency, where Varkey had been touring inundated villages, coordinating rescue operations and overseeing relief camps after heavy rain and the swelling Pampa River flooded several homes in Aranmula, Kozhencherry and Mallappuzhassery.
The first-time Congress MLA had pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election by defeating two-time CPI(M) legislator and former Health Minister Veena George in Aranmula.
Party workers and local Congress leaders visited the hospital after learning about the accident.
(Inputs from IANS)