Kerala minister V Abdurahiman sparks row with ‘Pakistan’ remark

Kozhikode: Sports minister and LDF candidate in Tirur V Abdurahiman stirred a controversy by likening his sitting seat of Tanur to Pakistan. Following the controversial remark, he clarified that he was referring to the intensity of the ongoing electoral contest in Tirur as it was akin to an India-Pakistan T20 cricket match. Abdurahiman had previously contested and won from Tanur in the last two elections. Earlier, the minister had said that LDF had played "two matches in Tanur, which was in Pakistan," and that the "third match" was on home turf, in a reference to his previous victories in Tanur. Meanwhile, UDF candidate in Tirur Kurukkoli Moideen criticized the minister, alleging that Abdurahiman had insulted the people of Tanur. "He is echoing the same line taken by BJP, which termed IUML flags displayed during Rahul Gandhi's campaign in Wayanad as Pakistani flags. Both parties now seem to be taking a similar stand," Moideen said. Responding to the criticism, Abdurahiman said his statement was being deliberately misinterpreted by IUML.