Nilambur bypoll: Aryadan Shoukath lacks public support, says ex-MLA PV Anvar
Kozhikode: Former Nilambur MLA PV Anvar has publicly opposed Congress's decision to field Aryadan Shoukath as its candidate for the Nilambur byelection, alleging that Shoukath lacks public support in the constituency.
Anvar even alleged that Shoukath had previously held talks with CPM leaders with the aim of contesting as a CPM-backed independent.
"Shoukath had held discussions with party state secretary MV Govindan in Wayanad," he added.
Anvar, who is state convenor of All India Trinamool Congress, had been recently talking about entering the UDF. However, he said that he would observe the public reaction to Shoukath's candidature and would take a final decision in two days.
He accused Shoukath of being a "leftist within the Congress" and claimed that he had not made a single statement critical of the CPM in the last two years.
Addressing reporters, Anvar said that he has been calling for a UDF candidate who could win from the seat by securing the support of every section. How could he support a candidate if a decision is taking against that line, Anvar asked.
He also took a swipe at UDF for bypassing DCC president V S Joy, stating that the move amounted to sidelining the Christian community in the constituency.
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