Trinamool Congress enters Kerala as Nilambur MLA PV Anvar joins party

Nilambur MLA PV Anvar has joined Trinamool Congress, becoming the first political leader from Kerala to do so, with party leader Abhishek Banerjee welcoming him. Anvar, an Independent legislator, was aligned with the LDF until September 2024.

In Short

• Nilambur MLA PV Anvar joins Trinamool Congress, first in Kerala
• Anvar parted with CPI(M) over disagreement regarding leadership
• After ouster, Anvar vowed to bring down LDF, Pinarayi Vijayan

Kerala’s Nilambur MLA PV Anvar joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC), with party leader Abhishek Banerjee welcoming him into the fold.

Anvar, who has been an elected representative since 2016, became the first political leader from the state to join TMC. Anvar’s induction into the party was announced by Banerjee on X, who extended a warm welcome, stating, "His dedication to public service and his advocacy for the rights of the people of Kerala enrich our shared mission of inclusive growth."

Part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) until late last year, he cut ties with the ruling alliance after a series of allegations and disagreements. In September 2024, CPI(M) severed its ties with Anvar, accusing him of undermining the party’s unity and engaging in a "vilification campaign" against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

MV Govindan, CPI(M) Kerala State Secretary, condemned Anvar's actions and urged party workers to resist his influence, calling him an outlier in Left politics.

After parting ways with CPI(M), Anvar sought political alternatives, including attempts to join the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). However, this move failed, leading him to form the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK), a separate political entity.

Anvar met with Congress leader VD Satheesan, who emphasised that decisions regarding new inductees into the United Democratic Front (UDF) would be made after consulting with coalition partners. Anvar also met Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) chairman Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal. These triggered rumours that Anvar was leaning towards joining Congress or the IUML, although no formal ties were established.

In a statement last month, Anvar indicated that if his DMK were to form an alliance with TMC, it would adopt a strong anti-communist stance in the state, to bring down the ruling LDF.

Anvar's political journey began in 2011 when he contested the Eranad constituency as an independent candidate. He also ran as an independent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Wayanad. In the 2016 Assembly elections, he contested as an LDF candidate and was elected from Nilambur constituency, defeating Aryadan Shoukath of Congress. In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, he contested as LDF candidate from Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency. In the 2021 Assembly elections, Anvar contested as LDF candidate from Nilambur constituency, defeating VV Prakash of the Indian National Congress.

Anvar was in the news recently when he was arrested on January 5 for his alleged involvement in the vandalism of the Nilambur District Forest Office. The protest was sparked after a villager was killed by a wild elephant, and Anvar led the charge. He was granted bail within 15 hours by the Nilambur First Class Magistrate Court, with conditions including the deposit of Rs 50,000 bail and Rs 35,000 for property damage.

Following his release, Anvar intensified his criticism of the LDF government. He expressed his determination to do everything in his power to bring down the LDF and ensure the success of the UDF in the upcoming elections.