Kerala | PV Anvar vows to shave head if defeated in Beypore Assembly poll; challenges Riyas

Kozhikode: UDF candidate P V Anvar on Thursday said he would shave his head, wear earrings and walk through the streets of Kozhikode if he loses the Assembly election in the Beypore constituency.

Anvar also challenged his rival and State Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas to accept a similar dare if the poll result goes against him on May 4.

Speaking to reporters here, Anvar said Riyas was overconfident about his prospects.

“This morning, Riyas claimed he would secure victory by a margin of over 82,000 votes, which would be an all-time record in the constituency. Nothing of that sort is going to happen here,” he said.

Anvar said if Riyas was confident about his claims, he should accept the challenge.

“I am ready to make an agreement here. If I am defeated in Beypore, I will shave my head, wear earrings and walk from Kidson Corner through SM Street to Kozhikode Railway Station,” he said.

He said Riyas need not wear earrings, but should at least shave his head if defeated.

“Will he be ready to accept the challenge? Don’t just make claims. If he is confident of winning, let him accept the challenge,” Anvar said.

Anvar, a former LDF MLA, exited the front following differences with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and joined the Trinamool Congress.

In the Assembly poll, he is contesting as a UDF-backed Independent against Riyas in Beypore constituency, considered a stronghold of the LDF.

Riyas, the son-in-law of Chief Minister Vijayan, is seeking a mandate from Beypore for the second time.

Recently, Anvar left the Trinamool Congress and decided to form a new party that supports the Congress at the national level and in Kerala.