Kannur, 02 May (H.S.):Beppur constituency UDF-backed independent candidate P.V. Anvar on Saturday predicted a “political tsunami” in Kannur and across Kerala when the Assembly election results are declared in the next 48 hours, asserting that strong anti-incumbency against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will decisively shape the outcome.
Addressing a press conference in Kannur, Anvar alleged that public resentment against what he termed “Pinarayism” and nepotism within the ruling CPI(M) would reflect sharply in the results. He claimed that even party cadres are silently opposing the leadership and would vote against the party to “save it from within.”
Anvar said similar dissent has been voiced by former CPI(M) leaders who are now contesting as UDF-backed independents in constituencies such as Taliparamba and Payyannur. He also pointed to leaders like G. Sudhakaran in Ambalappuzha and Suresh in Malampuzha as examples of internal rebellion spilling into the electoral arena.
Predicting a close contest in Dharmadam, Anvar said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would, at best, secure a narrow victory margin of less than 10,000 votes. He went a step further in Beppur, claiming that Tourism Minister Mohammed Riyas would be defeated. “My confidence is not without reason. The fight I have put up has cornered Riyas,” he said.
In a dramatic remark, Anvar challenged Riyas to a public bet, saying he was ready to shave his head and wear earrings if proven wrong.
He further alleged that internal dissatisfaction among senior leaders, controversies surrounding political killings, and alleged interference by CPI(M) state secretary P. Sasi in favour of the BJP have weakened the party in Kannur. Anvar also called for a probe into alleged irregularities in construction projects carried out by Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society over the past decade.
Concluding, Anvar claimed that even leaders like A.N. Shamseer had faced marginalisation within the party, underscoring what he described as deep-rooted factionalism in the CPI(M).
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
