Nilambur Byelection: Congress and the Anvar Dilemma

Let’s get one thing straight: The Nilambur by-election didn’t happen because people were demanding it or because it was a necessity. No, this whole mess is the result of one man, P V Anvar, throwing a political tantrum, quitting his MLA seat, and making vague accusations against the LDF government. And now? That same man is knocking on the UDF’s door, hoping to get a seat at their table.
Anvar was doing just fine as an LDF MLA. No one pushed him out, and there wasn’t any big scandal. But one day, he decided to resign and blamed the Kerala government with baseless accusations, without giving any clear reasons. And just like that, we have a by-election, one that no one asked for and that costs taxpayers crores of rupees.
What’s worse? Instead of taking a break or reflecting on his decision, Anvar jumped straight into Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress (TMC). He started criticising the UDF and is now trying to figure out where he fits in their alliance or not.
After quitting the LDF, Anvar tried his luck with DMK, hoping he could make a name for himself as the Kerala leader. He even thought he could become the DMK’s chief overnight. But M K Stalin, a close ally of the Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, blocked his entry into DMK. So, Anvar eventually settled in TMC, a party that's practically dormant in Kerala.

P V Anvar

UDF’s Unclear Stand on Anvar

Anvar, now the TMC convener, is trying to make his way into the UDF (United Democratic Front). But they’ve made it clear: before they even consider letting him in, Anvar needs to “clarify his stand” on the by-election. He has to prove his loyalty to the party and give his approval for Aryadan Shoukath, the UDF’s chosen candidate.
Why all the confusion? Well, Anvar had previously said he’d support whichever candidate the Congress picked. But when Shoukath’s name was announced, Anvar didn’t like it and made it clear. He even said, “What’s wrong with saying I don’t like the guy?” Well, apparently, honesty doesn’t go very far in politics, especially when it conflicts with party decisions.
Anvar, as usual, tried to have it both ways. He claimed that if he were officially in the UDF, their opinions would be his. Since he’s not, he wants to keep his “independence” but also get a spot in the UDF’s campaign.Meanwhile, the Congress is acting like they don’t need Anvar, but secretly they do. UDF Chairman and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said it’s up to Anvar to clarify his position if he wants to join the campaign. This is happening while Anvar is meeting various leaders, like IUML’s P K Kunhalikutty and Rajya Sabha MP P V Abdul Wahab, and telling everyone he’s just “catching up.”
When asked about his place in the UDF, Anvar gave a strange answer: “In a vehicle, you can sit or stand anywhere.” So, it’s not clear if he wants to ride in the front, or hang off the side like a passenger on a crowded bus.

Sunny Joseph,K Sudhakaran and V D Satheeshan

Congress isn’t doing any better. KPCC President Sunny Joseph confidently said, “We have the upper hand in campaigning,” which doesn’t sound like a winning strategy when you’re in a public stand-off with a potential ally. Meanwhile, former KPCC President K Sudhakaran tried to be diplomatic by calling Anvar an “asset,” while ex MLA from thrithala, V T Balram,Who lost to now Minister M B Rajesh, posted a passive -aggressive message on Facebook: “Drop the attitude or get out.”
"Amid all this chaos, Aryadan Shoukath, the UDF's candidate, has stated that the KPCC must decide whether to include Anvar in the UDF, and that he has no personal opinion on the matter." Then there’s V S Joy, Anvar’s preferred candidate for the seat. He’s been left on the sidelines like a forgotten understudy. His name wasn’t even considered for the ticket, yet the drama around him keeps going.
Despite all the back -and -forth, Anvar still hasn’t decided whether he’ll run in the bypoll. His supporters, however, have given the UDF an ultimatum: decide within two days, or Anvar will contest in election against UDF. Whether that’s a real threat or just political posturing, no one knows.

Aryadan Shoukath's brother Reas Ali Aryadan's comment about Anvar

This whole circus started when Anvar resigned as an MLA, only to now circle back to the same seat. It’s like someone quitting their job and then begging for a second chance. Anvar has shifted from Congress to TMC, and now he’s upset because the Congress didn’t pick his favorite candidate. This is the classic example of political drama where everyone’s trying to look important, but no one is actually doing anything useful.
This by-election could have been avoided if Anvar had just stayed in his seat and done the job he was elected to do. Instead, taxpayers are footing the bill for an election that nobody asked for, just because of one man's ego and hungry for political power. The Nilambur bypoll is on June 19, with nominations closing on June 2, and results expected on June 23.