Anvar has strongly opposed Aryadan Shoukath’s candidacy, stating that he did not resign merely to pave the way for others, and has warned that he will contest independently unless the Congress national leadership intervenes.
Published May 29, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated May 29, 2025 | 12:45 PM
With the state closely watching, all eyes are on P.V Anvar, will he extend support to Aryadan Shoukath, or choose to contest independently?
Synopsis: PV Anvar’s vocal dissatisfaction with the UDF’s choice of candidate for the upcoming Nilambur bypoll has sparked murmurs and unease within the Congress camp. While Anvar had earlier signalled support for any UDF nominee, his rejection of Aryadan Shoukath and demand for intervention by the AICC leadership have deepened tensions, even as behind-the-scenes negotiations continue and the UDF weighs whether Anvar is a political asset or liability.
Just before the United Democratic Front (UDF) announced its candidate for the upcoming Nilambur bypolls, Kerala Pradesh Trinamool Congress (KPTC) State Convenor PV Anvar made a striking statement: “I will support any saitan (devil).”
This declaration was widely seen as a positive signal for the alliance KPTC-UDF, interpreted as his willingness to back any UDF nominee – even as he was seen lobbying for Malappuram District Congress Committee (DCC) President VS Joy.
Anvar had earlier sought the ticket for himself but was denied.
Just months earlier, the former independent MLA – previously backed by the ruling CPI(M) – resigned from his Nilambur seat to lead the TMC’s fledgling presence in the state, thereby triggering the bypolls.
Yet, Anvar’s tone changed dramatically after the UDF officially named Aryadan Shoukath, son of Congress stalwart Aryadan Muhammed, as its candidate on Monday.
Congress leader Aryadan Shoukath. (Facebook)
Despite widespread acceptance of Shoukath’s candidature among UDF allies, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Anvar’s visible discontent has sparked murmurs and unease within the Congress camp.
Now, with the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) preparing to hold a crucial meeting on Thursday, 29 May at Majeri in Malappuram, the uncertainty around Anvar’s – and by extension the TMC’s – next move has only deepened.
Will he extend support to the UDF and Aryadan Shoukath, or choose to contest independently?
Nilambur is considered a UDF stronghold.
Since TK Hamsa’s victory in the 1982–87 term, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) has managed to win the seat twice – by proxy through PV Anvar in 2016 and 2021.
In the 2014 Wayanad Lok Sabha elections, Anvar concentrated his campaign efforts on the Nilambur Assembly segment, securing 37,000 votes.
Nilambur election trend
This result later became his political leverage to demand a seat in the 2016 Assembly elections.
At that time, internal tensions between the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Aryadan faction of the Congress created a favourable political opening for Anvar.
He won with a margin of 17,000 votes – thanks in part to the League’s indirect support.
By the 2021 election, however, the UDF had learned its lesson.
It fielded VV Prakash, a strong candidate with significant public support, who was backed by the IUML largely because he was not affiliated with the Aryadan camp.
Anvar managed to retain the seat, but his victory margin dropped steeply to just 2,700 votes – sustained largely through his continued grassroots presence.
Despite the setbacks, political observers believe Anvar still holds the potential to secure around 20,000 votes independently in Nilambur.
Despite pressure from Anvar, who pushed for DCC President VS Joy, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) stood its ground.
Though Joy had the backing of Opposition Leader VD Satheesan and was seen as a strong contender, the KPCC’s recent overhaul of its own leadership had weakened his chances.
He has now been assigned charge of election coordination.
Shoukath, meanwhile, has gained support as part of a communal balancing effort within the KPCC.
With Sunny Joseph and Joy – both Christians, leading the KPCC and the DCC respectively, Shoukath’s selection is seen as a move that helps ease internal factional tensions.
Congress workers celebrate Shoukath’s candidature.
Anvar strongly opposed Shoukath’s candidacy, stating that he did not resign merely to pave the way for others – especially since many more seats would open up in the next ten months.
At a press meet on Tuesday, Anvar warned that the KPTC would contest independently unless the Congress national leadership, particularly All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary KC Venugopal, intervenes.
“We’re ready to be part of the UDF, even as associate members. But I won’t beg state leaders anymore,” he said, accusing the Congress of betrayal.
Anvar recalled supporting the UDF in recent elections, including in Wayanad, but claimed he received no acknowledgment.
He alleged that, despite earlier assurances from UDF leaders including VD Satheesan, nothing materialised.
“It feels like I’m being crushed politically,” he said, adding that the AITC central leadership, including chairperson Mamata Banerjee are fully behind him.
Posters have also appeared in Nilambur expressing support for Anvar, referring to him as the “Sultan of Nilambur” and suggesting that he will continue to remain active in the constituency.
KPCC President Sunny Joseph expressed dissatisfaction with PV Anvar’s vocal opposition to the UDF’s candidature in Nilambur.
AICC Press Release
He called Anvar’s rejection of Aryadan Shoukath “unacceptable” and described his recent remarks as “irresponsible,” especially for someone seeking to be part of the UDF.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Joseph urged Anvar to respect the alliance’s decisions and align with UDF policies.
He stressed that Shoukath’s nomination had been reached through unanimous agreement within the Congress.
“Although the State Congress Election Committee couldn’t hold a formal meeting, senior leaders of the party held discussions and arrived at a consensus. The decision was later ratified by the national leadership,” Joseph said.
“Anvar must provide a clear explanation for his statements.”
Joseph further emphasised the UDF’s consistent strength in electoral battles, citing victories in Puthuppally, Thrikkakara, Palakkad, and Wayanad as evidence, implying that the UDF doesn’t necessarily need Anvar to win at Nilambur.
“We expect a similar outcome in Nilambur as well,” he added.
At the same time, senior KPCC leader K Sudhakaran criticised Satheesan’s approach to the issue.
He insisted that decisions regarding Anvar should be made collectively, not unilaterally, and acknowledged Anvar as a major political force in Nilambur whose support would benefit the UDF.
Sudhakaran maintained that Satheesan’s stance reflected personal opinion rather than official party policy.
Following Anvar’s airing of discontent, All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary KC Venugopal addressed the media later in the day to defuse tensions.
He clarified that the UDF had no plans to exclude Anvar and assured that the state leadership would work to bridge communication gaps.
Venugopal attributed Anvar’s resignation from the CPI(M)-led front to the LDF’s misgovernance and said all issues should be addressed amicably.
VD Satheesan (L) and K Sudhakaran.
Though Anvar had voiced criticism of Opposition Leader VD Satheesan and his handling of the issue, Venugopal suggested reconciliation was still possible.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), meanwhile, stressed the importance of winning Nilambur for the UDF and advised Congress to take necessary steps to ensure unity, including asking someone to step aside if needed.
The League also cautioned Anvar against jeopardising his political future.
Congress MLA PC Vishnunath reiterated the party’s unity on the issue, stating that candidate selection is a collective, strategic decision.
KC Venugopal (Screengrab)
UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash also confirmed that Anvar remains with the alliance and called for internal resolution of concerns raised by leaders such as K Sudhakaran.
He dismissed allegations circulating against candidates as “fabricated stories.”
Venugopal echoed further Sudhakaran’s conciliatory tone, prompting Anvar to respond that he was encouraged by both leaders’ statements and looked forward to meeting Venugopal soon.
Discussions between Congress leaders and Anvar are ongoing.
UDF Convenor Adoor Prakash confirmed that talks include the possibility of offering Anvar associate membership within the alliance.
Aryadan Muhammed, a senior Congress leader, was known for his firm stance against the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and Jamaat-e-Islami-backed factions.
With his son Aryadan Shoukath now contesting, how these voter blocs will respond remains uncertain – especially given their significant influence in the region.
Further complicating the scenario, the SDPI has announced Advocate Sadiq Naduthodi, its Malappuram District Vice President, as its candidate for the Nilambur bypoll – making it unlikely that SDPI or affiliated groups will support the UDF this time.
Adv. Sadiq Naduthodi
Between 2009 and 2024, the UDF consistently led in the constituency, peaking in vote share during the 2019 elections.
In contrast, the LDF’s support has fluctuated – reaching a high point in 2021 but declining sharply by 2024.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while still trailing behind the two major fronts, has steadily improved its vote share, registering its best performance yet in 2024.
Neither the LDF, nor the BJP have announced their candidates, though declarations are expected soon.
Political insiders suggest that realignments and internal manoeuvring within the UDF will be crucial to the final outcome.
Notably, the BJP has already held discussions with DCC General Secretary Beena Joseph, signalling possible shifts and further political manoeuvring in the days ahead.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
