Malappuram: The Congress leadership appears divided over the Trinamool Congress's entry into the UDF after its Kerala chief PV Anvar openly criticised Aryadan Shoukath's candidature in the Nilambur bypoll.

Former Nilambur MLA got full backing from AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, who said nobody in the UDF wants to isolate Anvar and that communication gaps would be resolved through dialogue. "Anvar resigned as Nilambur MLA to fight against the corruption of the LDF government. We are obligated to protect him," he added.

Anvar also found an ally in former KPCC president K Sudhakaran. The Kannur strongman said the decision to induct Anvar into the UDF is not something Opposition Leader VD Satheesan can take alone. "Whether to take Anvar into the UDF is not a decision for Satheesan alone. Party leaders will discuss and decide on it. Under the leadership of the new KPCC president, the matter has not yet come for discussion, but a decision will be made within two days. The Muslim League also wants Anvar to join the UDF," he said.

Sudhakaran called Anvar's opposition against Shoukath's candidature and Congress workers' reaction to it as 'natural'. "Since Anvar is not a party member, his comments against Shoukath were natural. Anyone who acts against Shoukath cannot remain in the front. Anyone joining the front must change their stance. When Anvar made harsh comments against the UDF candidate, the response from Congress workers was natural. Powerful people are backing Anvar, and if his votes do not come through, it will be a setback for the UDF. Forming a front after the election will not help," Sudhakaran said.

However, KPCC President Sunny Joseph said Anvar should cooperate with the UDF's decision on the Nilambur byelection. He also said the issue should not be taken personally. "Everyone was consulted while selecting the candidate for the Nilambur bypoll, and the name was finalised unanimously. The AICC reviewed and announced the name. If an individual or a party wishes to be part of the UDF and publicly disagrees with that decision, how can that be accepted? Anvar must answer that question," he said.

"Congress is proceeding with preparations for the election and political strategies in consultation with the AICC. Anvar had raised objections to the state government's policies when he left the LDF and resigned as an MLA. UDF too is fighting against the wrong policies of the LDF," Sunny Joseph said.

Attingal MP Adoor Prakash, however, refuted claims of a rift in the party leadership.

Earlier in the day, Anvar had lashed out at Opposition leader V D Satheesan after being denied the UDF ticket for the Nilambur assembly bypoll. Anvar, who quit the CPM and resigned as Nilambur MLA, was visibly upset over the Congress’s decision to field Aryadan Shoukath as the UDF candidate.

Anvar said that several Congress leaders had reached out to him, including KC Venugopal, Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan.