KOZHIKODE: M K Raghavan, the UDF candidate of Kozhikode, is having a good lead even after embroiled in the controversial sting operation. He has obtained 2,47,279 votes so far. A Pradeep Kumar of the CPM garnered 1,97,653 votes and Prakash Babu of the BJP got 80640 votes.

When contacted, M K Raghavan said that he was in like Abhimanyu, who broke into Padmavyuha. Both the government and the police were haunting me. But the people of Kozhikode stood with me. This is a joint effort of the UDF, he said.

Raghavan was involved in a controversial sting operation. It was assessed that this would reflect the polls but was leading from the beginning itself.