Thrissur: Amid criticism over an alleged CPM–BJP nexus, Minister V Sivankutty made a volte-face on his remarks regarding contesting from the Nemom Assembly constituency in the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. Addressing the media here on Monday, he claimed that he never said he would not contest from Nemom, asserting that the CPM state leadership would decide on the candidates.

His clarification came barely two hours after he had stated that he would not contest from Nemom this time.

Speaking to the media at Ramanilayam, the Government Guest House in Thrissur, around 8.30 am, Sivankutty had said he would not be contesting from Nemom. He noted that he had won twice and lost once from the constituency, adding that he does not declare his candidacy on his own and that the party takes the final call.

However, by around 10 am, the minister met the media again and revised his remarks. He said he had not stated that he would not contest from Nemom, but only that the decision rests with the party. The earlier comment, he explained, stemmed from a moment of confusion while speaking.

“I only meant that the party would decide on my candidacy. I have contested from Nemom thrice. I won twice, defeating BJP leaders O Rajagopal and Kummanam Rajasekharan, and lost once. I don’t know why my statement was misinterpreted. I watched it again and did not find anything wrong in it. I think there was some confusion. I only meant that the party and the LDF state committees would decide the candidates,” Sivankutty clarified.

Sivankutty further said the BJP would not be able to reopen the “closed account” in Nemom and expressed confidence that the Left candidate would secure a strong victory in the constituency.

Sivankutty’s remarks came under fire as the BJP has announced plans to field its state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar from Nemom.