Unexpected setback for CPM in Kozhikode; Mayoral candidate Musafar Ahamed loses polls

KOZHIKODE: The defeat of the mayoral candidate is an unexpected setback for the CPM in the Kozhikode Corporation, their stronghold. CPM district secretariat member C P Musafar Ahamed lost in the Meenchantha division. Musafar Ahamed is a trusted leader of Minister Muhammad Riyas. Musafar Ahamed is also the present deputy mayor of the corporation. While the CPM is facing setbacks in other corporations in the state, it is only in the Kozhikode Corporation that it is performing well.

Musafar Ahmed is a leader who came close to winning a landslide victory against Muslim League leader M K Muneer by contesting from the Kozhikode South constituency in the 2011 assembly elections. He lost by just 1376 votes that time. Musafar Ahmed, who came into the organizational scene through DYFI activities, later rose to the party's district leadership. The defeat of the candidate who was sure that he would win the corporation and become the mayor this time will lead to big discussions in the party in the coming days.

Meantime, P M Niyaz, who was tipped to become the mayor if the UDF comes to power, is also trailing. Niyaz is trailing behind the BJP candidate by 258 votes in Paroppadi division as the counting of votes progresses.