Kozhikode: UDF candidate M.K. Raghavan has been nursing his wounds suffered from the sting operation conducted by a news channel exposing him to corruption allegations.
LDF candidate A. Pradeep Kumar has taken advantage of the sudden turn and is trying hard to maintain the momentum he has gained in the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency.
The campaign which was earlier focused on development has turned to corruption after the ‘TV 9’ news channel aired the conversation with Raghavan over the election expenses and hints at chances of getting a bribe in a land deal for opening a hotel in the city.
Till then, Raghavan as an MP had been taking credit for upgrading the Kozhikode railway station to international standards and the huge funds sanctioned for the expansion of Kozhikode medical college.
Pradeep Kumar MLA shouted from the top about upgrading the Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Nadakkavu, and various other schools to international standards.
After the sting operation, Raghavan turned emotional and justified himself at various venues while the LDF unleashed a blitzkrieg against him.
Now both the camps have submitted complaints to the election commission demanding action against the other side.
The UDF alleged that the channel expose was cooked up by the LDF to malign Raghavan while the LDF demanded action against Raghavan.
It may be recalled that the UDF had gained an advantage by announcing its candidate early as the Congress was sure of Raghavan retaining the seat for a third consecutive term.
In 2014, Raghavan had defeated A. Vijayaraghavan of the CPM by a margin of 16,883 votes.
Raghavan got 3,97,615 votes, Vijayaraghavan 3,80,732 and BJP leader C.K. Padmanabhan 1,15,760. In 2009, Raghavan, then a new face in the constituency, won the seat with the lowest margin in the state — 838 votes. He secured 3,42,309 votes against Muhammed Riaz’s 3,41,471 (CPM), who is the present national president of DYFI.
All the legislative constituencies other than Kozhikode south (M.K. Muneer) were won by LDF constituents.
Most of the constituencies where Raghavan secured majority favoured the LDF in the Assembly election.
The CPM has now directed the rank and file to ensure that all the LDF votes are cast.
Though Raghavan had enjoyed an edge in the beginning, political observers now feel that he is lagging behind after the allegations of corruption raised by the channel.
However, Raghavan says that people in the constituency across political barriers have expressed their support to him soon after the incident.
Raghavan had ensured continuous support to the voters who approached him for varied needs.
“The controversy provided me a chance to realise the people’s true love,” he said. The ‘Raghavan camp’ believes that he would win despite the ‘malicious campaign.’
However, the LDF has directed its cadres and leaders not to give too much importance to the corruption allegation at public venues but highlight it during interaction with the public during the campaign.
Pradeep Kumar told reporters that his workers will not target Raghavan personally.
“The UDF has already tasted defeat in the constituency,” he said and added, “we are citing our developmental achievements.”
The constituency has a total electorate of 12,64,844, including 6,51,560 females, 6,13,276 males and eight third genders.
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