P V Anvar declines UDF alliance; will not contest Nilambur bypoll
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Malappuram: Trinamool Congress (TMC) state convener P V Anvar on Saturday ruled out any possibility of joining the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and also announced that he would not be contesting the upcoming Nilambur assembly by-election, citing financial constraints.
Anvar’s declaration came a day after the UDF stated that the TMC leader could be considered for inclusion in the alliance if he withdrew his recent critical remarks against the UDF’s candidate, Aryadan Shoukath. However, Anvar firmly rejected the overture, saying he was not joining the UDF at this stage and urged its leaders to refrain from contacting him further.
Speaking at a press conference in Malappuram, Anvar said that over the last five months, he had been kept waiting by the UDF without any formal decision being taken regarding his inclusion as an associate member, despite support for it among several UDF leaders and workers. He expressed disappointment at being led on without commitment and accused "hidden forces" of working against him from within the front.
He claimed that such elements were using senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan to undermine him. According to Anvar, these forces were intent on ensuring a UDF victory in Nilambur without his support, fearing his outspoken nature.
The controversy began after the UDF announced Aryadan Shoukath as its candidate in Nilambur. Anvar had responded by stating that Shoukath lacked public support in the constituency and further alleged that the candidate had earlier attempted to secure a nomination from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for the same seat.
UDF leaders, including convener Adoor Prakash, subsequently conveyed to Anvar that the front had unanimously agreed he should retract his statements against Shoukath. Prakash said he personally informed Anvar of the front’s position and expressed hope that Anvar would cooperate in the future.
Echoing that position, Satheesan reiterated on Friday that Anvar must clarify whether he supports the UDF candidate before the front could take any decision on including him. Satheesan maintained that although there was no personal enmity between the two, the situation now depended on Anvar’s response.
In his Saturday address, Anvar maintained that he would not be contesting the Nilambur bypoll regardless of the political scenario. He said he lacked the financial resources required for an election campaign, claiming he had been "financially destroyed" by both the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left Democratic Front because of his people-centric activism.
He also criticised the LDF’s choice of candidate, M Swaraj, saying that although he hails from Nilambur, he had not contributed meaningfully to the development of the constituency. Anvar expressed disappointment that no party, including the UDF, had fielded a candidate from the farming community of the hilly region, who he said were suffering heavily due to recurring wild animal attacks.
Reiterating his commitment to the people, Anvar said he would continue to fight against what he called "Pinarayism" and affirmed that his resolve in standing up for public issues remains unchanged.
With PTI inputs
