NILAMBUR: Despite word from the opposition leader about his inclusion into UDF, former Nilambur MLA PV Anvar minced no words in his criticism against the party's big decision in Nilambur. Anvar openly came against Aryadan Shoukath, just minutes after the latter was chosen as the UDF candidate for Nilambur by polls.

Anvar is no fan of Shoukath and opined that the leader still maintains good rapport with CPM and mostly numero uno Pinarayi Vijayan. Anvar also alleged that Shoukath had covertly met with the CPM state secretary in Wayanad.

P V ANVAR:

“Shoukath would have surely contested as an independent with CPM support if UDF were to ignore him. I know Nilambur people’s opinion about Shoukath. It is for the same reason that I warned Congress to show caution. I have not yet decided about my future but for the time being, I will not be part of UDF campaigning. I will have to talk with people here before jumping to any conclusions.

VS Joy was the best candidate for Nilambur, but unfortunately, he had no godfathers in the Congress and was thus ignored. Ignoring V S Joy is akin to shrugging off the decision of people residing in the hilly terrain of the constituency.”

It was PV Anvar who first made a clarion call for VS Joy to be made candidate after the former resigned as independent MLA and dissociated his allegiance with LDF.

Meanwhile, VS Joy expressed contentment in Shoukath becoming the candidate in Nilambur and opined that a UDF victory was a certitude.