"Will not contest Nilambur by-election but will support Congress to end Pinarayi govt": TMC leader PV Anvar

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 13 (ANI): After submitting his resignation as MLA from Nilambur, TMC leader PV Anvar said he would not contest the Nilambur by-election but would instead give full support to the Congress candidate to end the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government.
Speaking to the media, Anvar said, "CM's political secretary asked me to raise corruption allegation against opposition leader VD Satheesan in assembly. He has prepared the matter to present in the assembly. The allegation that VD Satheesan received Rs 150 crore was raised in the assembly with the permission of the Speaker. I don't know whether there was a conspiracy. I apologise to opposition leader V D Satheesan and the public for this. I will not contest the Nilambur by-election. I will give full support to the Congress candidate to end the Pinarayi government. The Congress should field a candidate from Nilambur. Malappuram DCC president Joy is the suitable candidate."
Earlier today, while speaking to ANI, Anvar said that he cannot fight against the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government alone and needs political support from the UDF.
"For the last five months, I have been explaining what is happening in the government, especially in the police. I cannot fight alone, so I need political support from the UDF. Mamata didi (West Bengal chief minister) is fighting against fascism in Parliament and the state," he said.
TMC has appointed PV Anvar as the state Convenor of Kerala. Anvar who was an Independent MLA from Nilambur resigned as MLA today.
On January 5, Anvar was arrested for allegedly vandalizing the Nilambur Divisional Forest Office during a protest against the death of a tribal man, who an elephant attacked in the Karulai forest.
Anvar, who was once an ally of the Left Democratic Front, has been critical of the Kerala government, particularly Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In September 2024, he accused the chief minister's aides of phone tapping and misappropriation of seized gold.
In September 2024, Anvar accused the chief minister's political secretary, P Sasi, and ADGP (law and order) MR Ajith Kumar of indulging in phone tapping of ministers and journalists. Additionally, Anvar has accused MR Ajithkumar and IPS officer Sujith Das S of misappropriation of seized gold. (ANI)