PV Anvar tightens UDF entry demand; will contest as independent if denied

MALAPPURAM: PV Anvar's threat to contest the Nilambur by-election alone if a decision is not made on Trinamool Congress's entry into the UDF within three days has become an adversity for Congress. Anvar's adamant stance is because he is worried that if his entry into the front is not possible before the by-election, it will be a closed chapter and his political future will be destroyed.

Trinamool's state committee meeting will be called in Nilambur on the 23rd and further steps will be announced. Anvar has also hinted that he may contest if his UDF entry is not possible. Trinamool's state committee meeting was called yesterday, but it was postponed at the request of the Congress. Congress's stance is that Anvar should prove his strength by giving unconditional support. That will not be accepted. Anvar had sent a letter two months ago for the front entry.

DCC President VS Joy and KPCC General Secretary Aryadan Shoukath are both firmly in the fray for the Nilambur seat. Christian and Muslim organizations have also come forward to support both of them. Anvar's demand is that Joy be fielded. Anvar has informed the Congress leadership that he will accept any candidate if his front entry is possible.

Third choice to avoid a split?

Congress lost the constituency by about 2,000 votes last time. The Congress is also considering fielding another candidate who is generally acceptable, replacing Joy and Shoukath. It is estimated that this will help avoid a split in the names of Joy and Shoukath and reduce Anvar's bargaining power. Yesterday, KPCC General Secretary Alipatta Jameela came forward with the demand to field a female candidate in Nilambur, which is part of Priyanka Gandhi's Lok Sabha constituency.

League also unhappy with Anvar

The Muslim League, which initially took a soft approach to Anvar's entry into the UDF, has now changed its tone. League national treasurer PV Abdul Wahab said that Anvar has no relevance in Nilambur. "It is not Anvar who should decide the UDF candidate. Congress should not give in to anyone's threats. Whoever the candidate is, the League will support and make him win," Wahab said.

Discussion not complete: Shoukath

KPCC General Secretary Aryadan Shoukath says he will accept the candidate announced by the high command in Nilambur. “Whoever is announced, we will make him win. The Congress leadership has not completed any candidate discussions. My wish is that when I die, I will go with the Congress tricolour flag covering me. This is what my father Aryadan Mohammed asked me to do just before he died.”