Public ire will reflect in Nilambur bypoll: VD Satheesan

Kozhikode: Opposition leader VD Satheesan said the people of Kerala are waiting for an opportunity to express their dissatisfaction with the state govt and this will be reflected in Nilambur byelection result. Addressing the media in Nilambur on Thursday, he said that UDF had begun its preparations for the byelection.

"UDF is ready and our candidate is expected to win by a huge margin, regardless of the election date. Former Nilambur MLA PV Anwar extended his support and we accepted it. Our collaboration with him will continue," he added.

When asked about Anvar's entry into UDF, Satheesan said a decision will be taken after consultation with its allies. He said that a preliminary discussion on the party candidate was over and the name will be announced soon after the announcement of byelection.

Satheesan said LDF would fail to secure the full support of its voters. True communists and Left-leaning individuals will not support those trying to undermine the communist party. The progressive movement in Kerala is now represented by UDF and Congress, while CPM has shifted to the extreme right, he added.

On BJP holding remembrance day events for (late) AICC president Chettur Sankaran Nair, Satheesan said it was because BJP lacks the legacy of participating in the Independence movement and is now trying to claim Congress leaders as its own.