After Confronting CM Vijayan, Anvar Seeks Alliance with Congress-led UDF
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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 8 (NationPress) Two-time Independent legislator P.V. Anvar, who received support from the Left, has begun reaching out to the Congress-led UDF after being dismissed from the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front for publicly opposing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Anvar has been the representative for the Nilambur Assembly constituency in the Malappuram district since Congress stalwart Aryadan Mohammed retired from electoral politics in 2016.
During the 2016 Assembly elections, Anvar triumphed over Mohammed's son, Aryadan Shoukat, and retained his seat in the 2021 elections after defeating Congress candidate V.V. Prakash. Throughout both elections, Anvar ran as a Left-backed Independent legislator, and relations remained cordial until September of last year when he accused two close aides of CM Vijayan -- ADGP M.R. Ajithkumar and political secretary P. Sasi -- of corruption.
After CM Vijayan disregarded Anvar’s demands, Anvar turned against him, resulting in his expulsion from the ruling LDF.
The conflict escalated on Sunday (January 5) when Anvar was arrested for leading a protest in Nilambur following the tragic death of a man trampled by a wild elephant.
After being granted bail the next day, Anvar declared his intention to unseat CM Vijayan. “I will now reach out to all leaders of the Congress-led UDF. My first step will be to meet with the supreme leader of the Indian Union Muslim League, which is the second-largest ally in the UDF, followed by discussions with Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan and other prominent UDF figures,” stated Anvar.
Satheesan expressed frustration with Anvar due to the latter's previous corruption allegations made in the Assembly. Since then, Satheesan has openly opposed Anvar.
“As the chairman of the UDF, I request the media to allow us to manage our affairs without interference. The matter concerning Anvar has not been discussed within the UDF,” remarked Satheesan.
An anonymous media critic commented, “In Kerala's political landscape, when a party or legislator decides to sever ties with one political alliance, the subsequent move often involves aligning with the opposition, which is precisely what Anvar is attempting. However, a faction within Congress appears reluctant to welcome Anvar back. Nonetheless, the IUML may take the initiative, as Anvar’s political base is in the Muslim-majority Malappuram district. The IUML, having been out of power for several years, is likely to avoid alienating Anvar, especially with local body elections approaching later this year and Assembly elections next year.”
As the Kerala Assembly prepares for its budget session later this month, Anvar, who has been a vigorous critic of the Congress-led UDF for over eight years, is shifting his strategy following his challenge to CM Vijayan. On Tuesday, he characterized the proposed amendments to the state's Forest Act by the Left government as “dangerous” and “anti-people,” expressing his intention to ally with the Congress-led UDF in opposing it.
Anvar urged the UDF to take a stand against the Forest Act Amendment Bill, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the needs of tribals and residents of hilly areas, which he believes will strengthen the opposition's chances of regaining power.
