UDF Announces P V Anvar as Candidate Against CPM's Riyas in Beypore
Even as the United Democratic Front (UDF) continues its seat-sharing negotiations, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph has confirmed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader P V Anvar will be the front's candidate in the Beypore assembly constituency. This constituency is currently represented by CPM state secretariat member and PWD minister Mohamed Riyas.
Informal Campaigning and Official Confirmation
Responding to media queries about Anvar's presence and unofficial campaigning activities in Beypore, Joseph stated that Anvar would emerge victorious from the constituency. This announcement effectively marks the Congress-led UDF's first candidate declaration for the upcoming elections, albeit made informally at this stage.
P V Anvar has been actively campaigning in Beypore since January 1, holding numerous meetings with local residents, social leaders, and religious figures. The UDF's strategic decision to field him against sitting minister Riyas is expected to transform this contest into a high-profile electoral battle.
Development Claims and Counterclaims
Meanwhile, Minister Mohamed Riyas has been conducting a Vikasana Munnetta Jatha (development progress march) across the constituency over recent days. On Monday, Anvar visited Chaliyam port where he interacted with fishermen and traders, alleging that despite the minister's claims of development, several critical issues affecting Beypore remain unresolved.
Anvar claimed a strong anti-incumbency wave against the Pinarayi Vijayan government across Kerala, predicting it would take "the form of a tsunami" specifically in Beypore. Targeting Riyas, who is also Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's son-in-law, Anvar alleged that the chief minister's interests were confined to a small family circle and claimed the CPM was being run by a group of 10-25 people acting on Vijayan's directives.
Historical Context and Electoral Dynamics
Beypore has remained a Left stronghold for over four decades, with Riyas winning the seat by a substantial margin of more than 28,000 votes in the last assembly elections. However, the UDF is optimistic about mounting a strong challenge based on two key factors:
- The reduced LDF margin of just over 1,400 votes in recent local body elections
- P V Anvar's political profile and campaign strategy
Anvar, a two-time independent MLA from Nilambur who previously aligned with the Left, broke ranks with the CPM and has been vocal in his criticism of Chief Minister Vijayan. After joining the Trinamool Congress, he unsuccessfully contested the Nilambur byelection and later became an associate member of the UDF, setting the stage for this significant electoral confrontation in Beypore.
