KOCHI: Director and activist Akhil Marar, who contested the recent assembly election from Thrikkakara as the NDA candidate, quit the Twenty20 party on Tuesday, alleging that the organisation was being run to serve the personal interests of its president Sabu Jacob.
Akhil said he had planned to contest the Kottarakara assembly seat as an independent candidate and was approached by a national NDA leader to contest as the alliance candidate.
He joined the Twenty20 after Sabu assured him that he would be fielded from Kottarakara. However, the seat was later given to R Resmi, who switched from the Congress to the BJP ahead of the election.
“On February 5, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala asked me which seat I would prefer to contest from. I replied that I will prefer Nemom or Dharmadam as it will provide a space to discuss politics. It was my statements against Jamaat-e-Islami that encouraged NDA leaders to approach me to join the front.
I had sent message to V D Satheesan requesting to expose the communal politics of Jamaat-e-Islami the same way they resist NSS, SNDP Yogam and RSS. He did not respond and there was no further offer from the Congress,” said Akhil.
Responding to the allegations, Sabu said Akhil does not hold any party position. He has not cooperated with the party after the assembly elections. Rejecting Akhil’s claim that he suffered huge financial burden due to the election, Sabu said all expenses of the 19 candidates fielded by Twenty20 were borne by the party and no candidate was asked to spend money from their own pocket.
Sabu also alleged that Akhil’s behaviour created unrest within both the Twenty20 and the BJP during the election campaign. “He used foul language and criticised members of his campaign team. He also abuses senior leaders. We cannot work with him. People with a craving for wealth, power and positions need not join the Twenty20 as we see politics as a service,” he said.
