Amid Palakkad bypoll drama, Anvar meets Sarin with some advice | Onmanorama news

Kochi: The political drama unfolding in Palakkad with young Congress leader P Sarin’s surprise rebellion became even more intriguing on Wednesday evening as PV Anvar MLA wanted to play a role in it. The Nilambur MLA, who has severed his ties with the CPM, recently met Sarin in Thiruvilwamala, sparking speculation about his next political move. It was reported that Anvar wanted Sarin to contest the upcoming Palakkad Assembly election as a candidate supported by his recently formed outfit, the Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK).

However, sources close to Anvar said his priority was to dissuade Sarin from contesting as an independent supported by the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). Sarin, the IT department head of the Kerala Congress, sparked a rebellion within the party when he openly opposed the decision to field Rahul Mamkoottathil as a candidate in the bypoll.

The meeting initiated by Anvar took place at the house of one of Sarin’s relatives. Anvar advised Sarin not to run as an independent Left Party candidate. He cited his own experiences to warn Sarin of possible future backlash. Anvar tried to convince Sarin that it would be political suicide if he contested on the Left, a source privy to the meeting told Onmanorama.

However, Anvar was willing to support Sarin if he agreed to run as an independent candidate. Sarin wasn’t keen on the idea. After meeting Sarin, Anvar announced on social media that independent candidates supported by his DMK would be announced for the Palakkad and Chelakkara polls on Thursday. Anvar appears to view the polls as an opportunity to show his influence with voters and use them as a bargaining tool ahead of next year’s local elections.