Nilambur MLA P.V. Anvar officially joins Trinamool Congress

Amid speculation over a potential alliance with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, Nilambur MLA P.V. Anvar officially joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Friday. The party made the announcement via its official social media channels.

“Extending a warm welcome to Shri P.V. Anvar, MLA of Nilambur, who joined the @AITCofficial family today in the presence of our Hon'ble National General Secretary, Shri @abhishekaitc,” TMC posted on X. “Together, we will work towards the welfare of the people of our nation.”

Anvar was formally inducted into the party by TMC national general-secretary and Lok Sabha MP Abhishek Banerjee. "His commitment to public service and his advocacy for the rights of the people of Kerala align with our shared mission of inclusive growth. Together, we will strive for a progressive India where every voice matters and every dream is realised!" Banerjee posted on X.

Previously, Anvar had expressed interest in aligning with the UDF to oppose the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government. He claimed that senior Congress leaders, including V.D. Satheesan, K. Sudhakaran, and Ramesh Chennithala, as well as Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, had supported him when he was implicated in the Nilambur forest office vandalism case. The IUML later stated it would abide by the UDF’s decision regarding Anvar’s inclusion in the coalition.

On Tuesday, Anvar met IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal at Panakkad as part of ongoing discussions with UDF leaders, following his openness to join forces with the UDF to challenge the ruling government.

After being released on bail on Monday in connection with the Nilambur forest office vandalism case, Anvar publicly expressed his willingness to collaborate with the UDF. He emphasised that opposition to the ruling government should be a collective effort and thanked UDF leaders for their support after his arrest. Anvar also indicated his readiness to make necessary compromises for the greater cause. 

Anvar had spent nearly 20 hours in judicial custody before his release. His arrest and subsequent remarks reignited speculation about his potential inclusion in the UDF.

The Nilambur MLA, along with four others, was arrested by police for vandalising the divisional forest office in Nilambur, causing damage to government property worth Rs 35,000.

The remand report, filed by Nilambur SHO Rajendran Nair, also detailed how the accused assaulted police officers on duty at the office. According to the report, around 40 activists led by Anvar marched to the forest office, staging a sit-in while raising slogans. Ten of the workers attacked the officers, damaging office equipment such as clocks, tube lights, chairs, and doors.

While some UDF leaders, including P.K. Kunhalikutty, have suggested informal discussions regarding Anvar’s potential induction, others have raised concerns. Satheesan denied knowledge of any such talks, stating the matter needed further deliberation. He also claimed Anvar’s allegations against him were coerced by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The Revolutionary Socialist Party, which is a part of UDF, has called for clarification of Anvar’s political stance before any decisions are made.

Congress leader V.T. Balram expressed conditional support for Anvar’s potential collaboration with the UDF in a Facebook post. Balram outlined four demands: the retraction of defamatory comments about Rahul Gandhi, the withdrawal of the Rs 150-crore allegation against V.D. Satheesan, an apology for casteist remarks made during the Chelakkara by election campaign, and for Anvar to adopt a more cooperative and less authoritarian approach.