Dissident Left-front MLA's move to align with DMK suffers setback

Thiruvananthapuram: The move by dissident Kerala Left-front MLA P V Anvar to align with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) suffered a setback on Sunday as DMK leadership expressed concerns over Anvar's differences with the CPI(M).

Anvar, who reportedly held talks with DMK leaders in Chennai on Saturday, even announced that he was forming the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK-Kerala).

Amidst strong speculations of Anvar aligning with DMK, party spokesperson T K S Elangovan told a section of the media that the DMK could not entertain a rebel CPI(M) MLA as the Left party and DMK are part of the same alliance.

There were also reports that though Anvar sought an appointment with DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday, the latter refused to meet him owing to his rapport with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is being attacked by the MLA.

Anvar later alleged that Vijayan had deputed one of his staff to Chennai on Sunday to meet Stalin to pursue him to give a statement against him (Anvar).

Anvar also continued to praise Stalin by stating that it was under his leadership that the DMK was strongly resisting the BJP and other communal and fascist forces in Tamil Nadu. Hence he approached DMK, Anvar said at a public meeting at Manjeri in Malappuram.

DMK-Kerala for new district

Though DMK-Kerala was conceived as a political party, Anvar could face disqualification as an MLA as he got elected as Left-front legislator.

Anvar said that DMK-Kerala will remain as a social movement, taking up issues of the people.

The MLA also listed out DMK-Kerala's policies and broader agendas, which even included formation of a new district by bifurcating Malappuram.

Anvar is a second-time MLA of Nilambur in Malappuram, which is close to Gudalur in Tamil Nadu. A large number of plantation workers from Tamil Nadu are working in Nilambur, and hence Anvar is exploring the option of associating with DMK.

Anvar recently quit the Left-front after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the allegations he raised against the CM's political secretary P Sasi and a couple of IPS officers.