Anvar, a two-time MLA supported by CPI(M), announced he is stepping away from electoral politics but vowed to lead a relentless campaign against Pinarayi Vijayan and "Pinarayism," signalling a shift in his political stance
Published Jan 13, 2025 | 8:45 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 13, 2025 | 8:45 PM
P V Anvar
In a dramatic turn of events, PV Anvar resigned from the Kerala Assembly as Nilambur MLA on 13 January, three days after joining the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) under the guidance of party chairperson Mamata Banerjee.
Anvar, a two-time MLA elected with CPI(M) support, announced his decision to quit electoral politics for now but promised a relentless campaign against Pinarayi Vijayan, what he termed “Pinarayism,” signalling a shift in his political allegiance and agenda.
Anvar formally submitted his resignation to Speaker AN Shamseer, marking the end of his stint as an independent MLA.
Anvar submitting his resignation
His decision followed a meeting with TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata on 10 January, where he was offered the role of the party’s state convenor.
However, his press conference, as usual, has set off a political storm, leaving both the Congress and CPI(M) grappling with unique dilemmas.
While the Congress struggles to balance internal dynamics after Anvar extended his support for the UDF in the upcoming Nilambur by-election, the CPI(M) faces mounting allegations of internal scheming and political opportunism.
Anvar revealed that his move to the TMC came after severing ties with the CPI(M) and facing opposition from Congress leaders when he sought to join the UDF.
Mamata Banerjee reportedly urged him to resign and take up the cause of Kerala’s high-range settler farmers, who face persistent issues of human-wildlife conflict.
Anvar welcomed to AITC by National General Secretary of AITC
Abhishek Banerjee on 10 January
Anvar said Banerjee assured him of TMC’s support in raising these issues in Parliament through the INDIA alliance.
Unconfirmed reports say that the AITC assured Anvar a Rajya Sabha seat.
Members of Democratic Movement Kerala, a platform founded by Anvar, are also expected to join the AITC, strengthening its presence in Kerala.
During a press conference following his resignation, Anvar apologised to Opposition Leader VD Satheesan for levelling baseless graft allegations against him in January, 2024.
Anvar had accused Satheesan of accepting a ₹150 crore bribe from IT companies to sabotage the LDF’s ambitious SilverLine rail project.
Anvar now claims that the allegations were part of a conspiracy orchestrated by P Sasi, the Chief Minister’s political secretary, to malign the Congress and create political turbulence.
“I was carrying the burden of many sins,” Anvar confessed. “At that time, I believed 75 percent of the allegations. Sasi convinced me they were true and even drafted the statement. I regret the damage caused to Satheesan and his family.”
Later, Satheesan accepted the apology but criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that such accusations could not have been made without his knowledge.
Satheesan further claimed that a covert team operating out of the Chief Minister’s office had used Anvar as a tool to attack the Opposition.
Anvar also reiterated his apology towards Rahul Gandhi for his DNA remark during the Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
During a local meeting convened by the LDF, Anvar stated, “I am of the opinion that Rahul’s DNA will have to be tested. He doesn’t have any quality to be Jawaharlal Nehru’s grandson.”
Anvar’s political maneuvering has left both the Congress and CPI(M) in a state of unease.
For the Congress, Anvar’s decision to join the AITC is a double-edged sword.
While he has declared unconditional support for the UDF in the Nilambur by-election, his endorsement of Malappuram DCC president VS Joy, as the ideal UDF candidate has sparked internal dissent.
Aryadan Shoukath, a senior Congress leader and former Nilambur MLA, opposed Anvar’s earlier entry into the UDF and now finds himself sidelined by Anvar’s strategic endorsement.
This has left the Congress leadership grappling with how to balance internal power dynamics while leveraging Anvar’s public support in the constituency.
Furthermore, Anvar’s decision to align with the AITC—part of the INDIA alliance, but not directly influential in Kerala—has left Congress strategists worried about its long-term implications for voter perception.
The CPI(M), meanwhile, is dealing with the fallout of Anvar’s explosive allegations against its leadership.
His revelations about the alleged role of P Sasi in fabricating corruption charges against Opposition Leader VD Satheesan have put the party on the defensive.
The party leadership is also facing accusations of abandoning Anvar, after using him as a tool to attack the Opposition and his all out attack against Sasi and ADGPM R Ajith Kumar IPS.
Both parties are now caught in a dilemma: while the Congress must decide how far it can embrace Anvar’s support without alienating its own leaders, the CPI(M) must reckon with the growing perception of internal scheming and political opportunism.
Positioning himself as a voice for settler farmers, Anvar condemned the Kerala Forest (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which proposes granting forest officials police-like powers.
He argued that this amendment would empower forest officials to harass farmers and push them out of the Western Ghats.
Anvar framed his resignation as a sacrifice for the farmers’ cause.
Anvar’s new role
“Mamata Banerjee urged me to take immediate action. She promised to rally the INDIA alliance for amendments to the Forest Conservation Act,” he said.
Despite declaring unconditional support for the UDF in the forthcoming Nilambur by-election, Anvar stirred controversy by endorsing Malappuram DCC president V S Joy as the ideal UDF candidate.
He argued that Joy, a Christian and a resident of the affected areas, understood the hardships faced by the constituency’s settlers.
He then declared, “if Joy is contesting I could assure you that he will have a winning margin of 30,000 to 40,000 votes.”
This endorsement is seen as a dig at Aryadan Shoukath, a Congress leader whom Anvar defeated in 2016 and who opposed Anvar’s entry into the UDF.
Anvar dismissed Shoukath as irrelevant, further complicating internal dynamics within the Congress.
Anvar did not hold back in his criticism of the CPI(M) and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
He alleged that top CPI(M) leaders, including some key figures, had supported him in making controversial allegations against P Sasi and ADGP M R Ajithkumar, but abandoned him later.
“My only agenda now is the downfall of Pinarayism,” Anvar declared. “I am willing to make any compromises to achieve this goal.”
While Anvar ruled out contesting the Nilambur by-election, he hinted that top TMC leaders, including Mahua Moitra, would campaign for the Congress candidate in the constituency, further fuelling speculation about his future political manoeuvres.
Reacting to Anvar’s apology, Satheesan accused the Chief Minister of orchestrating the baseless allegations against him.
“When the allegations were made, the entire Assembly laughed at their absurdity. But this was not just Anvar’s doing; it was a calculated move by top CPI(M) leaders,” Satheesan said.
Senior CPI(M) leader P Sasi has dismissed the allegations made by independent MLA P V Anvar as baseless and malicious, accusing him of spreading blatant lies for political survival.
In a statement, Sasi denied claims that he conspired to level corruption allegations against the opposition leader, calling them “completely false and fabricated.”
He alleged that Anwar was seeking a new political refuge and attempting to shift blame for his past actions to others.
“Anvar is resorting to lies and malicious propaganda to defame me and the chief minister’s office,” Sasi said.
Sasi noted that legal action had already been taken against Anwar for previous allegations, with a court case requiring Anvar to appear in person. He confirmed plans to pursue legal action over the latest accusations as well, adding that the public would see through and reject Anwar’s repeated attempts to spread falsehoods.
Anvar’s move to the AITC has added a new layer of complexity to Kerala’s political landscape.
While his immediate focus is on championing the cause of settler farmers, his actions and statements suggest a long-term strategy to move towards the UDF and reposition himself as a significant political force in Malappuram.
With the Nilambur by-election looming and Anvar’s revelations stirring political waters, Kerala is set for yet another chapter of intense political drama.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
