Malappuram: The official announcement of the candidature of P.V. Anwar, the LDF independent in Nilambur, has invited the ire of local CPM leaders and around 10 branch committee secretaries and five local committee members have renounced their positions. More are expected to follow the suit.
The protesters allege that Anwar, the former KSU state secretary, is anti-left. In 2011 assembly election, Anwar, who contested as an independent, had garnered a whopping number of LDF votes to finish second in Eranadu constituency. The LDF had to bear the brunt, as the CPI candidate had finished fourth lagging even behind the BJP.
The constituency, especially places like Edakkara, Chungathara, Muthedam and Vazhikadavu had witnessed protest meets and campaigns ever since Anwar's name surfaced as the LDF candidate.
However, the district and state leaderships have turned a cold shoulder to the protests and they hope to pacify the local committees. "We do not rule out the minor frictions. The issues will be settled within days and the party workers will agree with the official announcement of state leadership ," said P.P. Vasudevan, CPM district secretary.
Meanwhile, the rebels are learnt to be holding a convention on Sunday to decide further action.
