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Senior Congress leader and former minister K Babu has announced his retirement from electoral politics, opting not to contest the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections due to personal reasons and health issues, despite requests from party leadership. Babu, a dominant figure in the Tripunithura constituency for over three decades, having won six out of seven contests since 1991, has left the selection of his successor entirely to the party's high command, expressing no preference for any specific candidate, including actor Ramesh Pisharody who has been rumored as a potential contender. His decision marks the end of a significant chapter for the UDF in Tripunithura, a key stronghold, as the party now faces the challenge of finding a suitable candidate to retain the seat against strong competition from the LDF and NDA.
The summons is part of an ongoing case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which alleges that the former minister amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income between 2007 and 2016.
In the chargesheet, the ED accused Babu of amassing disproportionate wealth worth ₹25.82 lakh.
The HC reportedly rejected Swaraj's plea citing lack of evidence to prove the charges.
It is alleged that Babu distributed slips to Hindu voters with the picture of Lord Ayyappa with an inscription that said "Your vote is for Ayyappa”.
Babu, who was the minister for excise, fisheries and ports in the Oommen Chandy government, is accused of amassing disproportionate assets between July 2007 to May 2016.
CPM leader challenged UDF candidate's win in the 2021 Assembly election from Tripunithura constituency.
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