Beypore election 2025: Anvar's baldness bet adds drama to Kerala polls
Synopsis
In Beypore, Kerala, UDF candidate P.V. Anvar has bet he will shave his head and parade through Kozhikode if CPI-M's Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas wins — a theatrical dare that masks a deeply personal political rivalry between a former Left ally turned fierce critic and the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Key Takeaways
Anvar , UDF -backed candidate in Beypore , has pledged to shave his head and wear earrings if P.A.
Mohamed Riyas wins the seat.
Riyas claimed he would exceed his 2021 tally of 82,000 votes ; Anvar countered that Riyas would not cross 65,000 votes .
Anvar, a two-time Left-supported independent legislator, fell out with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and later joined the Congress -led UDF.
Riyas is the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan , making the contest a proxy battle over Left leadership.
Vote counting for Beypore is scheduled for 4 May 2025 .
The battle for Beypore constituency in Kerala has taken a theatrical turn ahead of vote counting on 4 May 2025, with UDF-backed independent candidate P.V. Anvar wagering a public spectacle on the outcome. Anvar has pledged to shave his head, wear earrings, and walk from Kidson Corner to SM Street and all the way to the Kozhikode railway station if his rival — CPI-M candidate and state Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas — wins the seat.
The Bet and What Sparked It
The dramatic wager followed remarks by Riyas on Thursday, in which he predicted he would surpass his 2021 tally of 82,000 votes. Anvar pushed back sharply, asserting that Riyas would not cross 65,000 votes and that he himself would emerge victorious when results are declared on Monday, 4 May 2025.
Point of View
But the real story in Beypore is a structural one: a former Left insider weaponising insider knowledge against the ruling dispensation. Anvar's allegations of nepotism and power centralisation carry weight precisely because they come from someone who was once part of that system. That Riyas is Vijayan's son-in-law makes this contest a referendum — however small — on dynastic politics within the Left. Kerala voters have historically punished perceived arrogance; whether Anvar can convert personal grievance into a winning coalition is the question May 4 will answer.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the baldness bet in the Beypore election 2025?
UDF-backed candidate P.V. Anvar has pledged to shave his head, wear earrings, and walk from Kidson Corner through SM Street to the Kozhikode railway station if CPI-M's P.A. Mohamed Riyas wins the Beypore seat. The bet was made in response to Riyas's claim that he would surpass his 2021 vote tally of 82,000.
Who is P.A. Mohamed Riyas and why is he significant in this contest?
P.A. Mohamed Riyas is Kerala's state Tourism Minister and a CPI-M candidate contesting from Beypore. He is also the son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, making his candidacy politically significant and a focal point for opposition criticism of nepotism within the Left government.
Who is P.V. Anvar and what is his political background?
P.V. Anvar is a two-time former Left-supported independent legislator who fell out with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and resigned from his seat in 2025. After initially declining to contest, he rejoined as an independent before eventually aligning with the Congress-led UDF, under whose banner he is now contesting Beypore.
When will the Beypore election result be declared?
Vote counting for the Beypore constituency is scheduled for Monday, 4 May 2025.
What are Anvar's main allegations against Chief Minister Vijayan?
Anvar has accused the Vijayan-led Left government of nepotism and excessive centralisation of power. His criticisms are considered particularly pointed because he was formerly aligned with the Left ecosystem before his public fallout with the Chief Minister.
