CPI(M)'s PA Mohamed Riyas Retains Beypore Constituency; Vote Share Drops
Kerala: In one of the most high-profile contests of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections, Public Works and Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas has successfully defended his seat in the Beypore constituency. Representing the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Riyas secured a decisive victory over his primary challenger, PV Anvar, an independent candidate backed by the United Democratic Front (UDF).
As the 17th and final round of counting concluded, the Election Commission of India officially declared Riyas the winner, reaffirming the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) long-standing dominance in this urban-coastal belt of Malabar.
The electoral battle in Beypore was marked by intense political friction and high-stakes personal challenges. PV Anvar, a former LDF ally who broke away to contest with UDF support, had turned the campaign into a spectacle by publicly daring Riyas to a series of wagers regarding the outcome.
Despite the aggressive rhetoric and the UDF’s attempts to breach the “Red Fort,” the final tally showed Riyas maintaining a steady lead throughout the day. With 81,849 votes in his favor, the incumbent minister secured a clear margin of 7,487 votes over Anvar, who finished with 74,362 votes.
The results highlight the organizational resilience of the CPI(M) in a constituency it has held almost continuously since 1982. While the BJP candidate, Adv. Prakash Babu, managed to secure 26,543 votes, the primary focus remained on the two-way fight between Riyas and Anvar. Observers note that Riyas’s emphasis on infrastructure development and his role as a key figure in the state cabinet likely resonated with the electorate, neutralizing the impact of the anti-incumbency claims raised by the opposition.
As the news of the victory spread, LDF supporters flooded the streets of Kozhikode in celebration. For Riyas, this win not only secures his position in the state legislature for a second consecutive term but also reinforces his standing as a prominent leader within the party. With the final result now in the record books, the focus in Beypore turns toward the fulfillment of campaign promises, even as the UDF begins to assess its performance in a seat that has once again proven difficult to flip.
(This story is part of a Timeline. internship project “Whom They Voted For: Celebrating The Election Festival”. This internship project is being organised aimed at helping young minds understand the electoral process of the country.)
