Kerala Cong MLA injured in car crash after touring flood-affected areas
Pathanamthitta, Aug 5 (IANS) Aranmula MLA Abin Varkey, who was injured in a road accident while returning after supervising flood relief operations in his constituency, is under observation at a private hospital in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta.
Doctors said his injuries are not serious, and his condition is stable.
The accident occurred late Tuesday night at Shutter Mukku, Omalloor, when another car, driven by Saji Kumar, a native of Konni, allegedly veered into the path of the MLA’s vehicle and crashed into it.
Saji Kumar was also injured and has been admitted to a private hospital at Kallissery.
The MLA’s driver, Vishnu, and two others travelling with him, Jerin and Arun, sustained minor injuries.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the accident.
Eyewitnesses said the impact was severe, leaving the front portions of both vehicles badly damaged.
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 the flood-ravaged Aranmula constituency.
Abin Varkey had been touring inundated villages, coordinating rescue operations and overseeing relief camps following the heavy rains and the swelling of the Pampa River, which flooded hundreds of homes in Aranmula, Kozhencherry and Mallappuzhassery.
He had also been involved in evacuating stranded families, ensuring the supply of food, medicines and other essentials, and coordinating operations with rescue teams and boat services, often working late into the night.
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 the Aranmula constituency.
Since the recent floods began, he has been spending much of his time in the affected areas, leading relief efforts and monitoring rescue operations.
Party workers and local Congress leaders visited the hospital after learning about the accident.
Hospital sources said the MLA is responding well to treatment and is expected to recover fully.
–IANS
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