KOCHI: VP Abdul Rasheed who made massive gains in Dharmadam constituency against chief minister Pinarayi Vijay said that irrespective of the result, it is already a victory for him. Dharmadam, located in Kannur, is a CPM fortress which was won by a margin of over 50,000 votes by Vijayan in the 2021 elections.“After five rounds, the chief minister of Kerala would have usually gained a lead of 25,000 votes. But in the first five rounds, he couldn’t secure the lead in any. This is equal to victory. In all the regions, where we had the freedom to work, where we could stick posters, do house visits, where I could conduct campaigning, I can say with pride that we have secured lead,” he said.Rasheed said that this is a political failure for Pinarayi Vijayan. He has not secured lead even in the panchayat where his house is located. He should take responsibility for this failure, said Rasheed.Rasheed said that the panchayats where the counting needs to be completed are Piralassery, Pinarayi and Dharmadom panchayath. “The regions, where we were not allowed to sit in booths, where my posters and boards were widely robbed. Regions where my campaign was blocked. There was massive spending here by CPM. Over Rs 40 crore was spent including a show by Vedan. Money was lavishly spent in the last six days. Despite all that, the gains that we have made are massive. UDF has already secured political victory here,” said Rasheed.
