KANNUR: BJP state president K Surendran has said that the party will support CPM rebel and independent candidate from Thalassery, C O T Naseer. The decision comes in the wake of the poll panel rejecting the nomination papers of the NDA candidate in Thalassery.

BJP has earlier taken the stand that it will consider supporting Naseer if he officially demands the party. The party leadership has cleared its stand following Naseer approaching the party leaders seeking support. Naseer has earlier said that he is looking for NDA’s support and its votes.

Naseer was a former member of CPM’s local committee and CPM's member in Thalassery municipality. He was attacked by CPM workers for contesting in Vadakara in the recent Lok Sabha polls. Naseer has alleged that CPM leader Shamseer is behind the attacks.