With two-time MLA PV Anvar as its state convener, TMC has set out on a bold and ambitious mission to carve out a space in the highly competitive Kerala politics. Its eyes are set on dissenters from the Left parties and Congress.
Published Jan 19, 2025 | 1:00 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 19, 2025 | 2:38 PM
PV Anvar has been appointed the state convenor of TMC.
In Kerala’s deeply entrenched political landscape, where the Congress and CPI(M) dominate the narrative and the BJP continues to make inroads, the arrival of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) is met with more scepticism than excitement.
Known for its commanding presence in West Bengal and its growing influence in northeastern states like Tripura and Manipur, the TMC is a political non-entity in Kerala, lacking both organisational structure and electoral relevance.
Yet, with two-time MLA PV Anvar as its state convener, the party has set out on a bold and ambitious mission to carve out a space in this highly competitive arena.
Now, the question being raised in political circles is whether the TMC could roar in God’s Own Country or remain a footnote in Kerala’s political history.
The TMC’s entry into Kerala politics has long been dismissed as inconsequential by the state’s political heavyweights. The party has neither elected representatives in local bodies nor a history of taking up social or political issues that resonate with the electorate.
With no mass support or grassroots presence, even political observers struggle to see the rationale behind the TMC’s Kerala foray.
“Kerala’s political culture is unique and deeply rooted in ideology. Parties with no tangible presence cannot expect to simply walk in and make an impact. The TMC’s entry is more of a publicity stunt than a serious political move,” said a senior CPI(M) leader to South First.
The Congress, too, has dismissed the TMC as irrelevant.
“The TMC has no cadre, no issues, and no electoral history in Kerala. It’s a fringe group trying to seek attention,” remarked a Congress leader to South First.
The BJP, which has itself struggled to expand its footprint in Kerala, echoed similar sentiments.
“The TMC lacks a roadmap. It takes years of groundwork to build even a foothold here. They don’t stand a chance,” said a senior BJP leader to South First.
Despite these challenges, the TMC’s Kerala unit is pinning its hopes on Anvar, a two-time MLA from Nilambur who joined the party in January.
Anvar’s defection from the independent bench to lead the TMC in Kerala comes with bold promises and a strategy aimed at revitalising the party’s non-existent grassroots structure.
Anvar has already outlined his vision for the TMC in Kerala, which includes working alongside the UDF, taking up issues of minorities, and creating a platform for those dissatisfied with the Congress, CPI(M) and BJP.
Anvar addressing TMC leaders during a meeting in Manjeri
“Contemporary Kerala demands a political movement that can stand against the authoritarianism of the LDF and the communal politics of the BJP,” Anvar said in a social media post after his appointment.
In a bid to attract fresh faces, Anvar has been reaching out to leaders who have rifts with their respective parties.
One such leader is AV Gopinath, a former Palakkad District Congress Committee (DCC) president who left the Congress after a fallout with its leadership.
Anvar’s strategy is to unify such disillusioned leaders under the TMC banner and make the party a viable alternative.
However, Gopinath made it clear that he was not going to TMC.
Buoyed by Anvar’s entry, TMC leadership in Kerala is now focusing on district-level meetings to reorganise and expand its base.
Leaders from eight districts participated in a recent meeting in Manjeri, signalling an attempt to revive the party’s dormant structure.
Harish Palathingal, the TMC’s state general secretary, believes Anvar’s entry could bring the party a much-needed breakthrough.
“It’s true that we don’t have a strong base in Kerala. But with Anvar joining, we now have a starting point. The focus is on uniting our members and preparing for the local body elections,” he told South First.
The TMC is also looking to merge Anvar’s Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK) into its fold, further consolidating its limited resources. Palathingal is optimistic about the party’s prospects.
“We expect to win seats in the upcoming local body polls. If we can build momentum, we could become a decisive force in the state,” he added.
Despite the optimism within the TMC’s Kerala unit, the road ahead is anything but smooth.
The party faces significant hurdles in a state where politics is deeply polarised between the LDF and UDF, with the BJP emerging as a distant third.
One of the major challenges is the lack of a distinctive identity. Unlike West Bengal, where Mamata Banerjee’s fiery leadership and pro-people policies have defined the TMC, the party in Kerala lacks a narrative that resonates with the electorate.
Moreover, the decision to align with the UDF raises questions about its ability to position itself as an independent alternative.
Another obstacle is Kerala’s electorate, which is highly ideologically driven. Voters in the state tend to favour parties with a strong grassroots presence and a history of addressing local issues.
The TMC, with its limited organisational strength, will have to work hard to earn the trust of the people.
At the same time, it is also learnt that the renewed interest of the central leadership of the TMC, led by Mamata Banerjee, in Kerala is part of its ambitious plan of spreading its wings.
During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, there were reports that the central leadership had initiated efforts to bring leaders like Democratic Congress Kerala leader and MLA Mani C Kappan, Gopinath, and others to its fold.
Even though it didn’t taste any success in such efforts it highlights that the top TMC leaders from Kolkata hope to establish a foothold in Kerala.
Considering its previous outings, like in the 2016 Assembly polls when it announced candidates, the TMC’s Kerala foray was unsuccessful.
It now faces challenges in building alliances within the Congress-led UDF, since leaders like Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan and senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan are against admitting TMC to the fold.
Meanwhile, Anvar sent a 10-page letter to Satheesan, Sudhakaran, and Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, proposing the inclusion of TMC in the UDF.
The letter explains his reasons for resigning as an MLA and joining the TMC, highlighting the political advantages of the move. Anvar has also reached out to leaders of all UDF constituent parties.
The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Political Affairs Committee is set to discuss the proposal on Sunday, 19 January, with some leaders calling for careful consideration, while others feel a hasty decision isn’t necessary.
Political analyst NM Pearson believes the TMC has little to no space in Kerala’s political landscape.
“Even the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), despite its association with prominent personalities, couldn’t carve a significant presence here. The TMC is no different — they haven’t made any notable strides in Kerala’s political sphere,” said Pearson to South First.
However, Pearson pointed out an intriguing possibility; if Anvar floated a party similar to AAP, it could have made an impact in Kerala.
“There is definitely a gap in Kerala’s political arena,” Pearson said.
“A party that distances itself from the BJP while countering the Congress and CPI(M) leadership has potential. AAP failed to exploit this opportunity, and the TMC is unlikely to succeed either because of Kerala’s unique political culture. For Anvar, TMC could merely serve as a platform to elevate his profile. If they offer him a Rajya Sabha seat, he could emerge as the face of TMC in Kerala and undertake some of their initiatives here,” he remarked.
According to Pearson, the challenge lies in finding and sustaining political relevance in a state dominated by Congress, CPI(M) and BJP.
“By ‘political space,’ I mean the potential to establish a foothold. Kerala has seen several smaller entities like AAP, Twenty20, and RMP, but none of them have managed to secure a space akin to the major players. Establishing a political organization here is extremely difficult. It requires a leader who can truly connect with the masses,” he explained.
In Pearson’s view, Anvar’s influence is geographically limited.
“Anvar can make an impact in the Nilambur Assembly constituency, but beyond that, he is inconsequential. His best way forward is to align with the UDF. However, the Congress will need to resolve the Anvar–Aryadan Shoukath puzzle in Nilambur first,” Pearson added.
The rift between Anvar and Shoukath, son of the late Congress stalwart Aryadan Mohammed, remains a sticking point. Shoukath, who serves as the Congress state general secretary, was defeated by Anvar in Nilambur in 2016.
The strained relationship between the two has added an extra layer of complexity to UDF’s calculus in the region.
The TMC’s foray into Kerala’s politically charged and ideologically entrenched landscape reflects its broader ambitions of national expansion.
However, the challenges it will face are monumental.
From a lack of grassroots presence and organisational strength to scepticism from political heavyweights and voters alike, the party’s journey in Kerala seems fraught with hurdles.
While Anvar’s leadership offers a glimmer of hope, his localised influence and the absence of a strong political narrative could hinder the TMC’s ability to establish itself as a significant player.
To move beyond being a fringe party, the TMC must focus on long-term groundwork, addressing local issues, and carving a distinct identity that resonates with Kerala’s electorate.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
