P.V. Anvar to contest under AITC banner in Nilambur, UDF closes doors for discussion. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The electoral scene in Nilambur Assembly constituency, which goes to the polls on June 19, turned murkier with All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) State convener P.V. Anvar changing his stance and deciding to contest.

Sources close to Mr. Anvar said that he would be contesting under the AITC banner. However, some others indicated that Mr. Anvar’s move would be the last-ditch effort to pressure the United Democratic Front (UDF).

UDF chairman and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said that there would not be any more talks with Mr. Anvar. “We have closed all doors of discussion as Mr. Anvar stuck to his stand of opposing the UDF candidate in Nilambur,” said Mr. Satheesan.

However, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph said that the doors were closed for the time being. “No doors are permanently closed in politics,” he said.

Mr. Joseph said that the electoral battle in Nilambur would be completely political, and not personal. He said the UDF would win comfortably even if Mr. Anvar contests. “Nilambur is going to be an anti-Government verdict,” he said.

Youth Congress State president Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, visited Mr. Anvar at his Edavanna house on Saturday (May 31, 2025) night and persuaded him to change his stand.

Mr. Mamkootathil said that he had requested Mr. Anvar not to take any decision emotionally. Rather, he said, Mr. Anvar should support the UDF in the fight against Pinarayism. “I told Mr. Anvar not to miss the objective,” he said.

Meanwhile, the UDF chairman described Mr. Mamkootathil’s visit to Mr. Anvar as a mistake. “The UDF did not entrust him to visit and talk to Mr. Anvar. He should not have done it,” said Mr. Satheesan.

But he said the UDF would not seek any explanation from the Youth Congress chief. “I will chastise him when I meet him. He is like my younger brother. I can do that,” said Mr. Satheesan.