The Congress has come to the help of Aranmula Ezhikkadu colony resident and CPM worker Raghunathan, who was allegedly denied monetary relief after Rahul Gandhi visited his flood-affected house, thanks to the Kerala Kaumudi newspaper and online that featured his plight the other day.

The Congress will give him Rs Five Lakh to help him rebuild his crumbling house.

Raghunathan had rescued more than hundred people during the devastating Kerala floods, which had flooded most part of his colony. Hearing about his exploits from the party workers, Rahul Gandhi ran into his house and hugged him, while he was on a visit to Kerala then.

After coming to know about this, the CPM-ruled panchayat started distancing from him and he was allegedly denied the flood relief fund even after applying for it three times.

It was the Kerala Kaumudi report that brought succour to Raghnathan. Pathanamthitta DCC members will send the Kerala Kaumudi reports with its translation to Rahul Gandhi today.

Raghunathan is an Ezhikkadu ward member and CPM representative. After coming across yesterday’s news report, a team of Congress leaders headed by DCC president Babu George, heeding to the instruction of Opposition leader Ramesh, visited his house and assured him of financial help.

The money will be collected by the DCC through its members.

The issue also had come to the notice of Congress leaders, Mullapally Ramachandran and Oommen Chandy.

Raghunathan’s house is located in Block 78 B of Ezhikkadu SC/ST colony.

Meanwhile, panchayat president Aisha Purushothanam has said that the survey of affected houses has been started and financial aid will be given to eligible persons. The other day she had said that Raghunanthan’s application had not come to her notice.

Babu George said that “denying financial help just because Rahul Gandhi visited his house is tantamount to denying justice. The Congress will be with Raghunanthan.”

CPM Kozhancherry Area Secretary R Jayakumar has said the party was not aware of the issue and it would be examined.