Kerala MLA Anvar, who was backed by ruling CPM before he took on CM Pinarayi Vijayan, joins TMC

“A warmest welcome to Shri PV Anvar, the esteemed MLA from Nilambur, Kerala, as he joins the @AITCofficial family. His dedication to public service and his advocacy for the rights of the people of Kerala enrich our shared mission of inclusive growth. Together, we will strive for a progressive India where every voice matters and every dream is realized,” he wrote.

Anvar joins the TMC a year ahead of the assembly elections in Kerala. A two-time CPI(M)-backed legislator, Anvar had a falling out with the party after he openly revolted against the Pinarayi Vijayan government, particularly about the functioning of the chief minister’s office and his political secretary, P Sasi. In September, the party announced it had snapped ties with the Nilambur MLA.

Anvar then formed a collective Democratic Movement of Kerala, and fielded a candidate in the November by-election in Chelakkara, although it failed to make any impact as CPI(M) retained the seat.

Since his falling out with the CPI(M), Anvar has been scouting for asylum, even unsuccessfully trying to cozy up to the Congress-led United Democratic Front. He was arrested earlier this week after he led an attack on the divisional forest office at Nilambur after a tribal youth was trampled to death by a wild elephant but was eventually granted bail. The arrest drew criticism from the Opposition, including the Congress.

According to parliamentary procedure, a legislator who has won as an independent can come under the purview of the anti-defection law if he joins a party after winning.  This means that Anvar now faces disqualification.