Anti-incumbency shadow in Beypore as Anvar leads UDF challenge against CM Vijayan's son-in-law

Kozhikode (Kerala), Jan 19 (IANS) Beypore, long considered one of the safest CPI(M) bastions in Kozhikode district, is emerging as an unlikely electoral battleground, with signs of churn threatening the political ascent of State Tourism Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s son-in-law and the sitting MLA from the constituency.

The rise of Riyas within the party and government has been swift and closely watched. After marrying Vijayan’s daughter Veena Vijayan during the peak of the Covid pandemic in a low-key ceremony at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Riyas was fielded from Beypore -- a seat the Congress-led Opposition has failed to wrest since 1977.

His victory was followed by what many in political circles described as a surprise elevation to the cabinet, with charge of the high-profile Public Works and Tourism portfolios, traditionally handled by senior party veterans. His subsequent induction into the CPI(M) state secretariat further cemented his standing within the party hierarchy.

However, the political calm around Beypore appears to be giving way to unease. The renewed activity of P.V. Anvar, the estranged two-time former Left-backed independent legislator who quit the Assembly last year after falling out with Vijayan, has injected fresh uncertainty into the race.

After briefly supporting the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), Anvar contested the bypoll independently, finishing a distant third. He has since returned to the UDF fold, with the Kerala unit of the Trinamool Congress -- which he leads -- being granted associate membership in the alliance.

Over the past three days, Anvar has been actively touring Beypore, holding meetings across political divides. “People will do the needful. The past five years will be compared with the previous 50 years, the way the Left legislator has been working,” he said, hinting at a strong undercurrent of discontent.

Claiming interactions not just with UDF leaders but also with Left supporters, Anvar asserted that calls for change and resentment against “family politics” were unusually pronounced this time. “A strong anti-Pinarayi and anti-son-in-law sentiment is blowing across the constituency,” he claimed, predicting that the verdict would become evident once votes are cast.

Veteran Indian Union Muslim League leader C.P. Mayin Haji, who has deep roots in Beypore and had narrowly lost to a CPI(M) candidate in the past, echoed the sentiment, saying the “writing on the wall” suggested Anvar held the upper hand.

As campaigning gathers momentum, Beypore may be headed for one of its most closely watched contests in decades.

Putting up a brave face was Riyas, who said that in a democracy, anyone can contest from anywhere.

Meanwhile, there are reports that Riyas might be moved to the nearby constituency at Elathur, which is now held by the ageing State Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran of the NCP.