MALAPPURAM: Putting an end to speculations, P V Anvar will file his nominations tomorrow as a Trinamool Congress candidate in the Nilambur by-elections. The Trinamool Congress has given permission to Anvar to contest in Nilambur and also approved the party symbol for him. The Trinamool Congress is likely to make an official announcement regarding his candidacy today itself. Ministers from Bengal are expected to come to Nilambur for his electioneering. Anvar himself had earlier indicated that Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee would come to campaign for him.

With P V Anvar also entering the fray, the contest in Nilambur will be tough. It is reviewed that Anvar entering the fray will be a setback for the UDF. Understanding this, Rahul Mamkootathil had visited Anvar last night for the last round of persuasion, but it did not yield any results.

In the press meet convened Saturday morning, Anvar had taken a stand of not contesting. However, he changed his stand in the evening. Anvar changed his stance and said that he was under pressure to contest and that many people were approaching him with money.

The by-election in Nilambur is being held in the vacancy left by the resignation of the sitting MLA Anvar. Anvar, who took a tough stand against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and distanced himself from the LDF and CPM, tried to join the UDF but was unsuccessful. Moreover, he distanced from the UDF after making harsh criticisms against opposition leader V D Satheesan.

It is believed that his aim is to prove his strength by contesting as a Trinamool Congress candidate and securing no less than ten thousand votes and making it easier for him to join the UDF before the next assembly elections.