A. Raja (Kerala politician)

For politician from Tamil Nadu, see A. Raja.

Anthony Raja is an Indian politician who served as the MLA of Devikulam Constituency from May 2021 until March 2023.^[1] He was disqualified for being elected from an SC constituency as he was a Christian and not a member of any SC community.^[2][3]

A. Raja
Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly for Devikulam
In office May 2021 – March 2023
Personal details
Born	(1986-10-17) 17 October 1986 (age 38) Kerala
Political party	Communist Party of India (Marxist)
Spouse	Shyni Priya
Children	Akshara, Aradhya
Alma mater	Government Law College, Coimbatore

In this Indian name, the name Anthony is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Raja.

Personal life

A. Raja was born on October 17, 1986, to Anthony Lakshmanan and Easwary, who were plantation workers. He is an advocate by profession, practising in Munsiff Court, Devikulam since 2009. He finished his LLB from Govt. Law College, Coimbatore.^[4]

Political career

Raja defeated D. Kumar of UDF by 7848 votes in the Kerala Legislative Assembly Election, 2021.^[5] He erred in taking oath as Member of Legislative Assembly and was fined Rs 2,500.^[6]

In March 2023, Kerala High Court declared that his election to Devikulam Assembly constituency is void on grounds of the production of fake caste certificate.^[7]

References

1. "Election Commission of India". results.eci.gov.in. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
2. "Kerala HC declares A Raja's election null and void: Can Christians, Muslims claim SC status?". The Indian Express. 20 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
3. Benny, Navya (20 March 2023). "'Practising Christian, Not A Scheduled Caste Member': Kerala High Court Annuls CPM MLA A Raja's Election From Reserved Constituency". www.livelaw.in. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
4. "ദേവികുളത്ത് അഡ്വ.എ രാജ സിപിഐ എം സ്ഥാനാര്‍ത്ഥി". Deshabhimani (in Malayalam). Retrieved 23 May 2021.
5. ആലയ്ക്കാപ്പള്ളി, സാജു. "രാജ- ദേവികുളത്തിന്റെ രാജാധിരാജ". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
6. "Kerala CPI(M) MLA A. Raja asked to pay fine of ₹2,500". The Hindu. 7 June 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
7. "Fake caste certificate: Devikulam MLA Raja's election declared void". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 29 March 2023.