Tough road ahead for Anvar; door not ajar for UDF entry

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite waging war against Pinarayi Vijayan and amassing 19,760 votes in Nilambur, P V Anvar's dream UDF entry looks unlikely. Anvar’s caustic response to Shoukath’s candidacy and his public diatribe to belittle the UDF candidate might have now turned into a bane. Despite Anvar’s machinations, Shoukath won in emphatic style in Nilambur. UDF is now convinced of their ability to pull off victory without the help of any Trojan horses.

The Muslim League and Congress working committee member Ramesh Chennithala carry a soft spot for Anvar and even opined that his inclusion could have upped the majority of UDF in Nilambur. However, a posse of other leaders led by V D Satheesan is not ready to pardon Anvar for his wily tricks employed to tarnish the UDF during the elections.

Anvar's vote was a combination of his relationship with local CPM leaders, anti-incumbency sentiments, and sympathy for being an outcast to two major fronts in Kerala politics.

Anvar, who represented Nilambur in the assembly for nine years, tried all tricks in his pocket to topple Shoukath’s victory chances, but to no avail. The victory has left UDF brimming with confidence before the impending assembly elections.

Anvar’s one-man army will not be able to exert much influence in the local elections. A battered LDF is unlikely to roll the red carpet again for a pompous independent candidate. In the assembly elections to be held next year in Kerala, UDF will most likely field Aryadan Shoukath again in Nilambur.

If Anvar is also on board, it will become an even greater liability for UDF. As of now, the road ahead will be tumultuous for the former Nilambur MLA. He needs to soften up his stance or may even need to kowtow to some leaders to make the dream UDF entry a reality.