Kochi, May 07: Veteran Congress leader and Deputy Speaker of the dissolved Lok Sabha, P M Sayeed, who has represented the Lakshadweep parliamentary constituency for a record 10 terms in a row, seems confident of sailing through in the May 10 polls, even as his main rival, JD-U's Pookunhi Koya, is making all attempts to give him a good fight. There are two other candidates on the golden streak of Sayeed, who is also a CWC member.

"The victory is a foregone conclusion as the islanders are with the Congress Party and they know the contributions I have made for the development of the island," says an optimistic Sayeed. Asserting that his victory margin would increase, Sayeed says 'I will break my own records this time. My rivals are no match for me as they have no political backing, and they have entered the election battle after retiring from government service."

The constituency, comprising over 10 inhabited islands, has an estimated population of nearly 63,000 and has been a goldmine for the Congress ever since the first elections in the islands in 1967. Bureau Report