Kochi: Film director and candidate in the recent Assembly elections, Akhil Marar, has made severe allegations that have put the NDA alliance—comprising the BJP and Twenty20—defensive. Following his resignation from Sabu M. Jacob’s Twenty20 party, Marar came forward with serious accusations. His disclosure that Sabu M. Jacob received ₹40 crore as election funds from the BJP has triggered a massive storm within the NDA alliance.
Marar openly stated that he came to know through senior BJP leaders that Sabu Jacob received ₹40 crore for election activities. However, the blame for this is now falling on him as the candidate. Along with screenshots of WhatsApp chats shared on Facebook, he alleged that Sabu Jacob used this money for his own needs and personal gains, and that he received no support whatsoever from the party.
Akhil mentioned that he funded his election campaign by selling his cherished BMW bike worth ₹20 lakh. He was initially planning to contest as an independent candidate in Kottarakkara, but BJP agents, followed by Sabu Jacob, lured him to Twenty20 by offering money.
However, they betrayed him by not giving him the promised Kottarakkara seat. Although the BJP showed decency by offering him Thripunithura instead, Marar revealed that Sabu Jacob, along with a BJP leader involved in a “scooter scam,” decided that Akhil Marar should not contest in a constituency where he had winning prospects.
Akhil Marar stated that he was the only candidate in the NDA alliance who had to contest without even an election committee office. In a constituency without a single councillor, his campaign relied solely on the momentum he generated through social media and sincere support from a few BJP workers. Only two people from Twenty20 were with him full-time. He added that Sabu Jacob caused widespread embarrassment to the NDA by awarding seats to people with no political sense.
After the election, Marar requested party responsibilities in Kottarakkara or Kollam, but for two and a half months, Sabu Jacob avoided taking his calls or replying to messages. Being an NDA candidate resulted only in isolation and hatred from his own people and society. Even when he asked permission to intervene in public issues, Sabu Jacob maintained silence.
Consequently, Akhil Marar cut ties with Twenty20, citing a complete lack of operational freedom within the party. Following NDA’s major defeat, these revelations of financial irregularities involving crores and allegations of betraying candidates have left the BJP-Twenty20 leadership completely cornered.
Akhil Marar’s Facebook Post:
“These chats tell the truth about the betrayals I faced…”
“These are the things I spoke about before the elections…”
“The thought behind this post is the desire to correct a mistake…”
“It was the idea of contesting as an independent in Kottarakkara that brought me close to 20/20. I foresaw that adding the votes I could gain through personal connections to the BJP votes in Kottarakkara would turn it into a three-way contest. But they betrayed me by not giving me that seat.”
“Later, the BJP showed decency by offering the Thripunithura seat to 20/20. But Sabu Jacob betrayed me there as well. A BJP leader involved in a scooter scam and Sabu Jacob decided that Akhil Marar should not contest in a seat where there was a winning chance or the potential for a strong performance.”
“In Thrikkakara, where 35% of the electorate is Christian, fielding Oommen Chandy Sir’s son-in-law would have yielded greater benefits. Yet, they took Kodungallur, a seat where the BJP has influence. By granting seats to people with no political sense, they caused embarrassment to the entire NDA. The 15,000 votes Dr. Terry received in Thrikkakara were due to neutral voters, his church connections, and his years of medical practice in Thrikkakara—not because there were even 10 active workers in this party.”
“I was the only NDA candidate without an election committee office. In a constituency without a single councillor, there was only the momentum I created through social media. Only a few BJP workers worked sincerely for me. Only two people from 20/20 were working full-time.”
“On top of all this, I have to face accusations that crores were received. After the election, I called multiple times, but he didn’t pick up. I sent messages, but received no response. They have no political activity.”
“Even after informing him about the hatred I faced from loved ones due to politics and how I was being sidelined in various places in society for being part of the NDA, Sabu Jacob had no answer. I learned through some senior BJP leaders that ₹40 crore was given to Sabu Jacob as election funds. Why should I take the blame for this?”
