'No point in Riyas justifying Chief Minister'; will form new party, says PV Anvar

NILAMBUR: PV Anvar MLA on Wednesday said that the Chief Minister's claim that the controversial remark about Malappuram was made by the PR agency is a blatant lie.

"If the newspaper had published the interview incorrectly, the Chief Minister and his office should have intervened on the same day it was printed. However, the Chief Minister's office staged a drama only after 32 hours when the controversy and protests erupted," PV Anvar alleged.

"It is better if the Chief Minister resigns from his post. Even if one Riyas or a hundred Riyas come and justify, the people of Kerala have already realised the truth. What was mentioned in the newspaper about Malappuram was exactly said by the Chief Minister in the press conference held before that. After the controversy, the Chief Minister started using Karipur Airport and Kozhikode Airport. The Chief Minister gave an interview to The Hindu newspaper in Delhi to make the nation aware that Malappuram, a Muslim-majority district, has become a hub for anti-nationals. Through this, the CM desired the matter to be discussed in RSS-BJP centres," Anvar said.

"The Hindu should release the recording of the Chief Minister's interview. This is part of a strong conspiracy. The chief minister's office has people who are capable of that. The CM gave the interview after these people consulted with the RSS leadership," Anvar added.

"I'm not happy with the Special Investigation Team's process regarding my complaint. They're supposed to submit their report tomorrow. However, they came to record my statement only on Monday. The SIT team came here last evening. I refused to give my statement. I'm not willing to cooperate with this drama. I will form a new political party. It will be a party that advocates secularism," he added.