Kozhikode (Kerala) | Kerala Minister P A Mohamed Riyas on Saturday said an election is not a boxing match between candidates but a battle between ideologies.

He was responding to reporters about the challenge put forward by UDF candidate and his rival P V Anvar to shave his head, wear earrings and walk through the streets of Kozhikode if defeated in the Assembly election from the Beypore constituency.

"An election is not a personal boxing competition between candidates but a fight between different ideologies. The LDF and the people see it in that way," he said.

He said voters often cast their ballots not because of personal attachment to a candidate, but based on the ideology the candidate represents.

"A candidate might have a floating vote. People vote to resolve their issues, considering political matters and development. People have a clear vision of whom to select as their representative," he said.

Riyas said there were people in the UDF who had worked hard during the election campaign in Beypore.

"Even those people will not accept such challenges and statements. So, we should not waste time answering such matters. People will give their mandate based on the issues each candidate raised during the election," he said.

Riyas expressed confidence that he would secure more votes and improve his victory margin compared to the 2021 election.

He said exit polls in the 2021 election had predicted defeats for several CPI(M) leaders, including him, but the results turned out differently.

"There is a situation favouring the LDF, and the results will favour us. The votes have been polled, and the picture will be clear on May 4," he said.