'Did not resign to make someone an MLA'; PV Anvar openly expresses dissatisfaction over delay in his UDF entry, likely to contest by-election

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Trinamool Congress leader PV Anvar has openly expressed his dissatisfaction over the delay in his entry into the UDF. He stated that the promise to make him an associate member has not been fulfilled, causing significant discontent among his supporters. Anvar also indicated that he would not accept Aryadan Shoukath being chosen as the UDF candidate in Nilambur. "I didn't resign to make someone an MLA. If people desiring positions want to contest, aren't there over a hundred seats available after ten months?" he said.

"If the idea is that PV Anvar and the UDF will face the election together, doesn't that mean I'm not officially part of the UDF? They still consider me an outsider. Let them decide on the candidate. My supporters are naturally disappointed over the delay in UDF entry. They haven't made me even an associated member yet. Those who are eager to contest have enough opportunities and platforms to do so. But the priority is not just to contest- it is to defeat Pinarayi. I resigned to counter the false narrative that Pinarayi will return to power in Kerala, and to make people aware of the reality," Anvar said.

Anvar demanded that his formal entry into the UDF should be completed immediately. He asserted that mere cooperation is not enough and that the Trinamool Congress should be included as a constituent party of the UDF. He also hinted that he would contest the election if Shoukath is named the UDF candidate. Anvar explained that he suggested the name of V.S. Joy as a candidate because Joy is the most capable person to effectively take forward the issue of forest and wildlife conflict, which Anvar has been actively advocating.