KOZHIKODE: Congress leaders in Kozhikode have come out against Balussery UDF candidate Dharmajan Bolgatty’s allegation that two Congress leaders collected lakhs in his name in the assembly elections. They alleged that his claims are false and that Dharmajan was a big failure as a candidate. Kozhikode DCC president U Rajeevan also said the actor’s allegations are totally baseless.

The leaders said money was collected from some main individuals with the candidate's permission due to lack of funds to contest the polls. Only an amount of Rs 80,000 was collected in this way. The money was collected by giving receipt. This money was handed over to KPCC executive committee member in charge of the constituency and DCC office bearer. DCC chief U Rajeev said the allegation that these leaders committed financial irregularities are not true.

Dharmajan has not lodged a complaint with the district Congress leadership. The DCC president said he would investigate the incident if a complaint was received. Meantime, Balussery constituency election committee general convener Girish Modakallur alleged that Dharmajan had failed miserably as a candidate and this was evident during the campaign phase. He did not campaign at the scheduled time or was active in the constituency. This led to a poll debacle. Local Congress leaders alleged that Dharmajan had not come to the constituency after the elections.

The actor had lodged a complaint with the KPCC president alleging that a KPCC secretary and a DCC office bearer in Kozhikode had collected funds in his name and tried to defeat him. Dharmajan had alleged that the setback was due to the fact that the responsibility of campaigning was given to those who were against his candidature.