Miffed over move to bring in Anvar, Satheesan and A group put up resistance citing his past

Thiruvananthapuram: Even as PV Anvar MLA is getting himself prepared to join UDF, a strong section within the Congress have been resisting the move citing his earlier flagrant comments about congress and its leaders including Rahul Gandhi. While KPCC president K. Sudhakaran is taking a lenient stance towards Anvar, opposition leader V.D. Satheesan and the A group are not in favor of bringing Anvar into the alliance.

Before distancing himself from the CPM, the UDF had taken a harsh stance against Anvar, particularly raising issues like the checkdam controversy. The Congress had even led protests against him. Anvar had made controversial statements, including suggesting a DNA test for Rahul Gandhi. He also accused Satheesan of corruption worth ₹100 crore during a session in the Legislative Assembly.

“Why should UDF welcome a person who had levelled objectionable allegations against Congress leaders?” asked UDF convener MM Hassan. Anvar's decision to contest in the Chelakkara by-election by wooing a former congress candidate to his side and fielding him as DMK’s candidate also provoked the party. 

During his time in the Congress, Anvar was a close ally of Sudhakaran. When Sudhakaran was the Forest Minister, Anvar worked closely with him. Back in those days, when Aryadan Mohammed was a prominent leader in Malappuram, Anvar relied on Sudhakaran for support within the Congress. Despite being an ally of the Left, Anvar has maintained a friendly relationship with Sudhakaran.

Anvar hopes to overcome opposition within the Congress through the Muslim League. His goal is to secure the Nilambur seat as a component party in the UDF. However, this seat is traditionally contested by the A group. Out of the 16 seats in Malappuram, the Congress contests only four, and the party is unwilling to give up Nilambur. The seat is also reportedly being kept aside for Aryadan Shoukath by the leadership.

In the last election, Anvar won the Nilambur seat by a margin of only 2,700 votes. The Congress believes they could overcome this slender margin in the coming election.  Aryadan Shoukath has already come out against Anvar joining the UDF as soon as the news appeared in the media. If the UDF moves forward with a broader goal of seizing power, it might have to consider compromises to accommodate Anvar, even if that means adjustments by both the Congress and the League.