Kozhikode: Dismissing allegations of applying communal tactics in the polls, Shafi Parambil, the UDF candidate from the Vadakara parliamentary constituency, dismissed such accusations as being mere smear campaigns just to show him in poor light. 

“The widely circulated posts in which I was shown as appealing to people to not to vote for Kafirs’ (disbelievers) is utterly ridiculous. I never use my religious identity for any sort of political advantage,” told Shafi while addressing the media.

The young Congress leader stated that he was shell-shocked hearing the allegations raised against him by his rival candidate. “There were several conspiracies hatched against me throughout the campaign period. They were disheartening and highly condemnable. It is never easy to hear people calling you a religious extremist,” said the UDF LS candidate.

Shafi also said that a complaint has been launched regarding the delay in polls in Vadakara.