Discontent with Vijayan's Left Government, Anvar Resigns as MLA
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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 13 (NationPress) A discontented Independent-backed Left legislator, P.V. Anvar, took the significant step of resigning from his role as MLA on Monday, submitting his resignation to the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly.
This morning, Anvar visited the office of Speaker A.N. Shamseer, where he personally handed over his resignation letter.
Rumors surrounding his resignation began to circulate last week when he made a quick trip to Kolkata to meet with the Chief Minister of West Bengal and Trinamul Congress leader, Mamata Banerjee.
On Sunday, he hinted at major announcements on his social media and, true to his word, drove from the legislator’s hostel with his MLA board covered.
After a brief meeting with the Speaker, he conveyed his decision to resign.
His resignation was anticipated following the announcement from the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata that Anvar would serve as the coordinator for TMC in Kerala. Following this, there were speculations that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government would take steps to disqualify him from his legislative position. By resigning, Anvar has now compelled a by-election, even though the current Assembly's term still has over a year left.
Initially elected as a Left Independent MLA in 2016 from the Nilambur constituency in Malappuram, he successfully retained his seat in 2021. However, since September of last year, he has become one of CM Vijayan's most vocal critics, consistently opposing him.
The situation escalated recently when he was arrested for a day for vandalizing a forest office. Anvar led protests after a tragic incident in his constituency where a wild elephant caused a fatality. He was granted bail the following day. With his resignation, he is now intensifying pressure on the Congress-led UDF, which has been urging him to wait for an opportunity to join their ranks.
In response to Anvar's meeting with the Speaker, M.V. Govindan, the state CPI(M) secretary, stated that it was clear Anvar was heading towards the UDF, as there were no other options available to him. “His resignation will not significantly affect the political landscape of Kerala,” Govindan remarked.
