Kozhikode: Former CPM MLA PV Anvar on Thursday said he would shave his head, wear earrings and walk from Kidson Corner through SM Street to the railway station if Minister Mohammed Riyas wins the Beypore constituency.

It may be noted that Anvar severed ties with the CPM, joined the TMC and contested the Assembly election from Beypore as an independent candidate backed by the UDF. The declaration also comes comes days before the assembly election results, with several exit polls indicating an upper hand for the UDF.

Anvar also asked whether Riyas was willing to accept a similar challenge. While Riyas has projected strong victory prospects, Anvar claimed minority votes in the constituency would favour him. He also asserted that the UDF would come to power with a clear majority in the current election, citing anti-incumbency sentiment.

Criticism of leadership and party control

Speaking at a press conference in Feroke, Anvar criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s “authoritarian style” and alleged “unnecessary interference” in party affairs by his son-in-law Riyas. He said these factors were weakening the CPM.

Anvar described “Mohammed Riyas’s dominance” within the party as damaging, alleging that Riyas had “hijacked” the organisation. He further claimed there were attempts to run the party under a system centred on the Chief Minister’s Office, with the support of the party secretary.

Allegations, voting trends and seat projection

He pointed to what he termed “family dominance” in the party, saying it had led to resentment among cadres that would be reflected in voting patterns. Anvar added that, as seen in West Bengal and Tripura, the Communist Party in Kerala was on a path of decline.

“The election is between Pinarayi and the people. Minority consolidation has not happened. BJP votes will decrease in Beypore. The BJP-CPM deal here has collapsed. The BJP leadership in Kerala has supported Pinarayi,” Anvar said.

“Sabarimala has become a major issue in the election. This will be an election that shuts down the Kerala Congress (Mani) group’s office. Based on public sentiment, people have decided to remove Pinarayi. SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan is a person who has stabbed in the eyes of minority communities. It was Pinarayi Vijayan who garlanded him,” Anvar said.

He claimed the UDF would secure 86 seats and form the government, adding that most exit poll results supported his assessment.

Earlier, Kerala Tourism Minister and LDF's candidate from Beypore Assembly seat, Riyas, said he was unconcerned with the exit polls as in 2021 they had predicted his defeat, but he won with a record vote share of 82,000

Riyas, speaking to a TV channel, also said he was confident that the LDF would return to power for a third term.