Six-term Congress MLA K. Babu quits electoral politics
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Kochi: In a significant development ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections, senior Congress leader K. Babu on Thursday announced his decision to step away from electoral politics, bringing to a close a long legislative career.
The 74-year-old six-time MLA from Tripunithura said he had informed senior party leaders of his decision, even though the Congress leadership had reportedly urged him to contest again from the constituency he represented for six terms.
“I have made my decision and have informed all my senior party leaders that I will no longer be part of electoral politics,” Babu said.
Known for his organisational skills and soft-spoken demeanour, Babu was considered one of the closest confidants of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. He served as Excise Minister in the Chandy-led government from 2011 to 2016, a tenure later overshadowed by the bar licence “scam” controversy.
The allegations, raised by the CPI(M)-led Opposition, subjected him to intense political pressure within and outside the Assembly. From 2016 onwards, he faced investigations by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, marking a turbulent phase in his public life. The prolonged probe, along with health concerns, took a personal toll.
Despite these setbacks, Babu returned to the electoral fray in 2021, stating that he wanted to face the electorate and clear his name. In a closely watched contest, he reclaimed the Tripunithura seat by defeating CPI(M) leader M. Swaraj, who had unseated him in 2016.
His decision to step aside now opens up a key Congress stronghold in Ernakulam district at a time when candidate selection is under sharp focus. With decades of legislative experience and deep roots in Tripunithura, Babu’s exit marks the end of an era in the constituency’s political landscape and signals a generational shift within the party as it prepares for the upcoming electoral battle.
With IANS inputs