In a strategic political move, All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Kerala Coordinator P.V. Anvar facilitated a meeting between senior AITC leaders Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) supremo Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal in Malappuram on Saturday.
The IUML, a key ally of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), remains a major force within Kerala’s opposition bloc. O’Brien and Moitra represent AITC in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, respectively. Following the brief meeting, Thangal clarified that no political matters were discussed in the meeting.
“They are part of the INDIA Bloc, and we will focus on strengthening our alliance as elections approach,” Thangal said. Anvar, who resigned as an Independent MLA supported by the Left from the Nilambur constituency in January, had earlier clashed with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. His grievances stemmed from alleged misconduct involving Vijayan’s close aide and political secretary P.
Sasi, along with senior police official ADGP M.R. Ajithkumar.
When his concerns were dismissed, Anvar took to the streets, publicly criticising the Chief Minister and his associates. After the Congress-led UDF initially rebuffed his efforts to join their ranks, Anvar sought new political ground, traveling to Kolkata to meet with top AITC leaders, including West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This meeting appeared to shift the UDF’s stance.
Anvar was soon welcomed into a statewid.
