Nilambur: If the UDF permits, PV Anvar has declared his willingness to contest against Pinarayi Vijayan at Dharmadam in the next election. “There is no going back on this,” Anvar said during the Super Prime Time debate on Mathrubhumi News. “There is a chance that Pinarayi will contest in the next election as well. Wherever he contests, I am ready to face him,” he asserted.

“Firmly established strongholds are a thing of the past. The time when one party could claim a constituency as secure and safe is over. People have become aware of the current state of affairs in Kerala. What remains now are weakened fortresses—structures with fragile foundations that could collapse at any time. I have declared my unconditional support to the UDF to bring down the Pinarayi government, and this support will continue,” Anvar said.

“Can I demand a specific number of seats? That is for the UDF to decide in a dignified manner,” he remarked.

“I will not contest in this election. I have not retired from parliamentary politics, nor have I said that I will never contest again. I will not make such a statement now, as it is not practical. My resignation has triggered this election, but more resignations may occur, possibly leading to by-elections. In those instances, I will continue to offer unconditional support to the UDF. There has never been any discussion about bringing the Trinamool Congress into the UDF.”

“There is no need for me to contest in Nilambur anymore. More people are likely to join Trinamool. If Aryadan Shoukath contests in Nilambur, he will have my 100% support. If V.S. Joy contests, he is likely to secure a majority of at least 30,000 votes. However, this majority might not hold in Shoukath’s case. There is no issue with Shoukath—he is both a close friend and relative. The upcoming election will be the final nail in the coffin of Pinarayism,” Anvar said.

Referring to the legal actions initiated by P Sasi, Anvar said, “Didn’t he start legal proceedings against me some time ago? There have been several defamation cases. Everyone witnessed the kind of ‘military action’ launched in Kerala under P Sasi. Hundreds of police officers surrounded my house with sirens blaring. The only thing they didn’t do was fire shots into the air. Perhaps they forgot to bring their guns,” he mocked