Kannur: A former CPM local committee member has decided to contest as an independent from Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency. The announcement made in this respect by Mr C.O.T Nazeer, 36, former local committee member of Thalassery and former municipal councillor, on Friday is bound to give disquiet to the CPM.
Mr Nazeer enjoys the support of the youths in Thalassery as he is prominent in the socio-cultural and philanthropic fields. His candidature may divide the Muslim vote bank of Thalassery which traditionally swings in favour of the CPM. Thalassery legislative constituency comes under Vadakara Parliament seat.
"We need the politics of love and cooperation and not that of fascism and hatred. Dissident voices should be allowed their space," Mr Nazeer said. The youth and tech-savvy new generation have supported him.
Mr Nazeer's relations with the CPM soured in 2014 when he refused to renew his membership by writing down his religion and caste in the party membership form.
The local leadership took revenge on him by blocking his passport and overlooking his claims in the party, said sources. Mr Nazeer became a non-member but continued his activities through a youth club. "Many youths, who can deliver in politics, are dormant due to their disagreements with the mainstream parties. But we cannot keep mum out of fear," said Mr Nazeer. He claimed that he can attract close to a lakh votes. In Thalassery constituency, CPM's A.N Shamsheer had won by a margin of 34,000 votes last time. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the LDF had won 32,000 votes more than Vadakara MP Mullapally Ramachandran of the UDF in Thalassery.
According to sources, Mr Nazeer's decline in the party happened along with the rise of Mr A.N. Shamsheer. "Both are from Thalassery and from Muslim families.
The CPM can only accommodate one in that slot and Shamsheer was preferred due to his proximity to the state leaders," said a CPM source. Meanwhile, the UDF is viewing Mr Nazeer's candidature as a golden opportunity to retain Vadakara seat.
