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Key Points

The Congress in Kerala has taken a firm stance against P.V. Anvar's attempts to influence party dynamics ahead of the Nilambur bypoll. Anvar, who previously secured the Nilambur seat with CPI(M)-led LDF support, resigned in January and has shown overtures toward backing the Congress. Despite initial enthusiasm from his supportive stance, the party, led by figures like Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan and others, remains cautious and unyielding, wary of past rivalries. The upcoming bypoll highlights the strategic maneuvers within the Congress as they aim to reclaim a historically significant seat.

Key Points: Congress Kerala Firm Amidst Anvar's Political Maneuvering

  • Congress firmly resists Anvar's political strategies
  • Anvar's past victories boost CPI(M) credentials
  • Nilambur bypoll spotlights Congress political strategy
  • Internal tensions as Congress debates Anvar's role
2 min read

Congress in Kerala holds firm on Anvar, refuses to toe his line

Congress in Kerala resists Anvar's overtures ahead of Nilambur bypoll, maintaining firm stance.

"Anvar is attempting to replicate the P.C. George playbook. - Rajmohan Unnithan"

Thiruvananthapuram, May 29

The P.V. Anvar issue continues to simmer within the Congress party in Kerala, but unlike in the past, the grand old party appears to be holding firm despite veiled threats and political overtures.

Anvar, who won the Nilambur Assembly seat in 2016 and 2021 with the support of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), resigned from the post in January.

On both occasions, he had defeated Congress candidates. His resignation, however, was welcomed by the Congress, which saw an opportunity to reclaim a seat that has long been considered a party stronghold -- having lost it only thrice since 1965.

The Nilambur bypoll is scheduled for June 19, and the Congress has named Aryadan Shoukath as its candidate, who has already hit the campaign trail. The LDF and the BJP-led NDA are yet to announce their candidates.

Initially, Anvar's pledge to support the Congress -- even declaring he would back "even a stick" fielded by the party -- was met with enthusiasm. But the mood soured recently when Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan made it clear that any decision to induct Anvar's party, the All India Trinamool Congress, into the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) would be deferred.

A visibly upset Anvar expressed hope of meeting AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal during the latter's visit to Malappuram. However, Venugopal declined the meeting, reportedly advising Anvar to resolve the matter with the state leadership first.

State Congress president Sunny Joseph on Thursday said he remains hopeful that Anvar will introspect and that a positive resolution is still possible.

Senior Congress leader and former party president Ramesh Chennithala stated that discussions were ongoing and the situation was improving.

However, not everyone in the party is as conciliatory.

Senior Lok Sabha MP Rajmohan Unnithan drew a sharp comparison between Anvar and P.C. George, the former government Chief Whip during the Oommen Chandy tenure, who was eventually ousted for repeatedly disrupting the administration.

"Anvar is attempting to replicate the P.C. George playbook. He has already said several things against the Congress, and under no circumstances will the party yield to his tactics. It is Anvar who needs the Congress, not the other way around," Unnithan said.

Anvar is expected to reveal his plans in the next few days. But as things stand, a misstep now could prove politically costly -- more for him than for anyone else.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article:
P
Priya K.
Congress is showing rare spine in Kerala politics! For too long they've compromised principles for short-term gains. Nilambur voters deserve a clean candidate, not someone who keeps switching sides. #StandFirmCongress
R
Rahul M.
As a Malayali, I'm tired of these political dramas. Anvar won with LDF support but now wants Congress? This opportunism is why people lose faith in politicians. Hope Congress doesn't fall for this "aana kodukkum aadu" (elephant promises goat) trap!
S
Sneha V.
Interesting to see Congress finally learning from past mistakes. Remember how they suffered after taking in PC George? History repeating itself would be disastrous. Kerala needs stable opposition, not musical chair politicians.
A
Arjun P.
While Congress is right to be cautious, they shouldn't completely burn bridges. In Kerala's complex political equations, sometimes you need to be pragmatic. A third front led by Anvar could split anti-LDF votes.
M
Meera N.
The real story is how LDF lost Anvar's support. Congress should focus on strengthening their own organization rather than relying on turncoats. Nilambur bypoll will show if grassroots workers still believe in Congress ideology.
V
Vikram S.
As an observer from North India, Kerala politics always fascinates me. Here Congress is weak nationally but putting up strong resistance in Kerala. Maybe they should learn from their Kerala unit about standing firm on principles! 😊

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