P.V. Anvar joins Trinamool Congress

Independent MLA P.V. Anvar joins Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, in a surprising move in Kerala politics.

P.V. Anvar, Nilambur’s controversial Independent MLA who broke away from the Left Democratic Front (LDF), joined the Trinamool Congress led by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday.

Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee welcomed Mr. Anvar into the party in Kolkata, saying that the Nilambur MLA’s dedication to public service and his advocacy for the rights of the people of Kerala would enrich their shared mission of inclusive growth.

Sources close to Mr. Anvar indicated that he would meet party supremo Mamata Banerjee on Saturday. Sharing a photo with Mr. Anvar, Mr. Banerjee, who is an MP from Diamond Harbour constituency of West Bengal, wrote on X: “Together, we will strive for a progressive India where every voice matters and every dream is realised.”

Sources close to Mr. Anvar said that he was given charge of the Trinamool Congress in Kerala.

Mr. Anvar’s latest move has taken politics watchers in Kerala by surprise as he was actively holding discussions with United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders for a possible entry into the front. When a section of UDF constituents welcomed him, the others had some reservations. In general, the UDF was of the opinion that it would discuss and take a decision at the appropriate time about Mr. Anvar.

After a protracted stand-off with the CPI(M) leadership a couple of months ago, Mr. Anvar sprang back to limelight early this week by leading a protest march to Nilambur North Divisional Forest Office (DFO) along with the supporters of his Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK).

The march, taken out in the wake of the death of a tribal youth named Mani from Mancheeri hamlet in the Karimpuzha National Park near Karulai, Nilambur, in an elephant attack, resulted in an attack on the forest office.