Banners surface in Perinthalmanna against Najeeb Kanthapuram

Kozhikode: Banners have surfaced in Perinthalmanna against IUML leader and MLA Najeeb Kanthapuram opposing his possible candidature from the constituency for the upcoming assembly elections. The banners, spotted at Karinkallathani and along Pattambi Road, state that the constituency has at least three capable local leaders and assert that a "payment seat from Kozhikode" should no longer be allowed in Perinthalmanna. They also say that if a leader is truly capable, he should contest and win from his own constituency. The banners had photographs of A K Musthafa, A K Nassar Master and Usman Tamarath. Responding to the development, IUML alleged that the banners were part of an attempt by CPM to create the impression of internal rifts within UDF. In the 2021 assembly elections, Kanthapuram had defeated LDF candidate K P M Musthafa by a slim margin of 38 votes.