Latest news with #anti-Malappuram
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Nilambur bypoll: UDF polarizing voters, alleges CPM
Kozhikode: CPM accused Congress and UDF of trying to divide people along religious lines, while avoiding a direct response to UDF's allegation that CM Pinarayi Vijayan and senior CPM leaders, including politburo member A Vijayaraghavan, made remarks that 'maligned' Malappuram. Instead, CPM is countering the UDF's claims by terming communal polarization a regular UDF tactic. "They're always looking for ways to divide people. That's their method. They try to create religious divides. Opposition leader VD Satheesan's comments were part of that," alleged Vijayaraghavan, without responding to Satheesan's charge that he (Vijayaraghavan) linked Priyanka Gandhi's win in Wayanad, which includes Nilambur, to communal votes. UDF's key campaign theme is the CM's 'anti-Malappuram' remarks about gold smuggling in the district and the proceeds being used for anti-national activities. UDF seized on the issue, believing that it will resonate with the minority community, which forms a substantial part of the electorate. However, CPM is viewing it as a strategic ploy by UDF. Instead of responding directly, it is reminding voters of the Congress' past opposition to the creation of Malappuram. LDF believes any direct response will help UDF prolong the controversy and keep the issue alive in public discourse. But LDF is set to intensify its protest against AICC general secretary KC Venugopal's recent remark that the disbursal of welfare pensions, including clearing dues, amounts to bribery. Kerala State Karshaka Thozhilali Union will hold a protest meeting of pension beneficiaries in Nilambur on Friday to counter the claim. Meanwhile, Youth Congress state president Rahul Mamkootathil and Muslim Youth League general secretary PK Firos asked three pointed questions to LDF candidate M Swaraj, seeking his stand on the remarks made by the CM and other CPM leaders about Malappuram. They asked whether Swaraj agreed with the CPM view that Malappuram's essence is communal and whether he supported Vijayaraghavan's claim that Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi won in Wayanad with the help of minority communal votes. They also asked whether he will urge the CM to retract his anti-Malappuram remarks. Meanwhile in Kochi, criticizing CPM leader Thomas Isaac over his claim that there was an 18-month pension arrear during Oommen Chandy's tenure, Satheesan said, "I'm challenging CPM to prove that there was an 18-month pension arrear during Oommen Chandy's term. His allegation is baseless. The delay then was less than three months. Isaac himself had clarified that it was due to the introduction of a new treasury system and the issue was resolved immediately," he said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
10 candidates in fray for Nilambur bypoll in Kerala
Kozhikode: The stage is set for Nilambur bypoll as the deadline to withdraw nominations ended on Thursday. Of the 14 nominations cleared after scrutiny, four candidates, including a namesake of former MLA PV Anvar, withdrew. This leaves 10 candidates in the fray. Anvar, running as an independent, has been given the scissors symbol. Both UDF and LDF see the election as a key political battle. For UDF, reclaiming its traditional stronghold is crucial for candidate Aryadan Shoukath — son of veteran leader Aryadan Mohammed, who held the seat for 34 years — and opposition leader VD Satheesan ahead of the upcoming local body and assembly elections. LDF aims to retain the seat with M Swaraj, reinforcing its pitch for a third consecutive govt in 2026. UDF has framed the election as a public verdict on what it calls the LDF govt's 'nine-year misrule'. It has also tried to highlight the LDF's alleged 'anti-Malappuram stance', citing past remarks by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, politburo member A Vijayaraghavan and other CPM leaders. LDF, on the other hand, is eager to retain the seat with Swaraj. A win would support its narrative of continued public trust in its development agenda and governance. The LDF also hopes to benefit from internal rifts within the UDF, especially around the Anvar issue. Meanwhile, for Anvar, delivering a strong performance is key to his political survival. Initially, BJP appeared undecided about contesting Nilambur bypoll, calling it inconsequential with the assembly term ending next year. However, the party eventually fielded former Kerala Congress leader Mohan George. The NDA's election campaign was launched by Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi on Thursday. The bypoll will be held on June 19 and the votes will be counted on June 23.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bypoll turns into a war of words
Kozhikode: Nilambur bypoll campaign has turned into a war of words as opponents are using the remarks of senior leaders, including CM Pinarayi Vijayan and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, to attack each other. While UDF is using the CM's 'anti-Malappuram' remark from a media interview about gold smuggling and anti-national funding, LDF is hitting back by targeting Venugopal for comparing welfare pension payments to bribery before the elections. Venugopal first raked up the CM's Malappuram remarks during UDF's convention on Monday. Then opposition leader VD Satheesan and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph picked it up and accused CPM of having a prejudiced view about Malappuram. Satheesan stepped up the attack on Wednesday by saying it was Vijayan who made serious allegations against Malappuram. "The CM's PR team sent notes to all Delhi-based media claiming that Malappuram was a hub for gold smuggling and extremism. After that, he gave a newspaper interview that echoed Sangh Parivar's line. The CM and Sangh Parivar are walking the same path," he said. Satheesan also said that CPM politburo member A Vijayaraghavan, who came to lead LDF's campaign in Nilambur, had insulted Malappuram many times. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Amplie seus horizontes: Estude no exterior (Clique para mais informações) Study Abroad Saiba Mais Undo "Does he still stand by his earlier statement that Priyanka Gandhi won because communal forces voted for her? Are the 95,000 people who voted for Priyanka in Nilambur all extremists? This question needs a clear answer," he added. LDF candidate M Swaraj hit back saying Congress was bringing up the Malappuram issue out of guilt over its past opposition to the district's formation when it had aligned with Jan Sangh. Meanwhile, LDF objected to Venugopal's comment that LDF govt was using welfare pension disbursements, including dues, as a 'bribe' ahead of bypoll. FM KN Balagopal said the remark insulted 62 lakh pensioners in Kerala by implying they vote for money and demanded an immediate retraction. Swaraj also responded, saying welfare pensions are a rightful benefit and calling them bribes insults the state's poor. Venugopal clarified that during the last Parliament elections, state govt paid two of the six or seven pending pension instalments before polls. "I only asked if they see the disbursement of dues ahead of elections that way. Twisting it into a bribery allegation is a deliberate misrepresentation," he said. Satheesan also said those who withheld pensions for six months are now releasing them just before elections and that is the wrong practice Venugopal pointed out. "We will speak out against the govt's attempts to exploit people's misery," he said. Satheesan said he is taking full responsibility for UDF's official stand in Nilambur. "The fight is between UDF and LDF and no one should try to distract voters from that. Not a single UDF vote will go elsewhere. Political and anti-govt votes will go to UDF. Even BJP is not serious about the contest. When the fight is between UDF and LDF, who else will get the anti-government votes? Nilambur voters are politically aware. Our majority will make that clear," he said.
