JNU students union leader Kanhaiya Kumar today campaigned for his friend and college mate Mohammed Mohsin P, a CPI candidate contesting from Pattambi in the district for the May 16 Assembly polls.

Addressing an election rally at Pattambi, Kumar deplored the statement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi comparing Kerala with Somalia.

"Kerala is one of the most literate states in the country.

The place is also known for its progressive values and gender justice," he said and wondered how the Prime Minister could make such a comment about Kerala.

Referring to the brutal rape and murder of a Dalit woman at Perumbavur in Kochi, he said everyone should stand together to ensure justice for the victim.

He urged the gathering to fight "to preserve the Constitution and democracy in the country".

The student leader said this constituency was earlier represented by Marxist veterans like E M Shankaran Namboothiripad and it was the responsibility of everyone to ensure the victory of the Left candidate.

30-year-old Mohsin, a research student in JNU, is making his debut in electoral politics by contesting against sitting Congress MLA C P Muhammed in Pattambi.