MALAPPURAM: Indirectly hinting that he is still optimistic of an entry into the UDF, former LDF MLA and independent candidate in the Nilambur bypoll P V Anwar has said he would like the UDF candidate to win if he does not.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday, he said there are two Pinarayis in the fray — a direct Pinarayi (LDF candidate M Swaraj) and an indirect Pinarayi (UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath). “If I cannot win, I want the direct Pinarayi to be defeated,” he said, adding that the majority of votes he garners will be from the LDF.

Anwar contended that Shoukath was a candidate who didn’t have the potential to defeat Pinarayism, a term he coined to denote the current state of affairs in the CPM and the LDF government. Anwar had stated that he was constrained to jump in the fray because of the negative attitude of Opposition leader V D Satheesan who reportedly blocked his way to the UDF.

Other leaders of the UDF, however, were more cautious in reacting to Anwar’s overtures. KPCC president Sunny Joseph said it is up to the UDF leadership to take a final call on the issue. “It is sure that the UDF will register an impressive win in the election. Puthupally, Thrikkakkara and Palakkad will be repeated in Nilambur,” he told reporters.