Nilambur: All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) state convener and former Nilambur MLA P V Anvar filed his nomination for the Nilambur byelection on Monday, declaring dramatically that he would withdraw from the contest "only if I die".

He also announced the formation of a new political front – Janakeeya Prathipaksha Prathirodha Munnani- backed by the AITC. Submitting his nomination papers at the Nilambur Taluk office, Anvar said that he represents ordinary people and was accompanied by a farmer, an auto-rickshaw driver, and a rubber tapping worker.  Anvar, who had earlier ruled out contesting, made a U-turn on Sunday, announcing his candidacy. 

LDF candidate M Swaraj also filed his nomination papers following a public procession with LDF supporters. The LDF plans to organise special conventions in each panchayat and municipality, which the Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, will attend.

Meanwhile, Anvar launched a scathing attack on both the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) and accused Opposition Leader V D Satheesan of colluding with the Chief Minister to support ‘Pinarayism’ and turning into a "Hitler within the UDF". "He doesn’t even listen to senior IUML leaders like Sadiq Ali Thangal and Kunhalikutty," Anvar alleged.

Anvar said that Satheesan did not even pick up Kunhalikutty's phone call. He added that the dissatisfaction within the IUML towards Satheesan will turn the tide in his favour. 

The former MLA said he quit the Assembly to give the UDF an opportunity to rebuild trust among high-range voters. "If a settler farmer had been chosen, the UDF could’ve made inroads. I had suggested DCC president V S Joy as the ideal candidate," he said, adding that Joy could have won with a margin of 30,000 votes. In contrast, he claimed the current UDF candidate, Shoukath, would not muster more than a 2,000–3,000-vote lead.

Anvar’s rift with the UDF leadership began when his proposal to induct the TMC as a full member of the alliance was sidelined. While the Congress offered associate membership, Anvar rejected it. He alleged that some Congress leaders, including Satheesan, blocked his entry into the alliance.

Though both the LDF and UDF downplay the impact of Anvar’s entry, his past performances—securing over 45 per cent of the vote in 2016 and 2021—make him a significant player in the Nilambur byelection. His influence among settler communities, especially amid rural discontent, could pose a challenge to mainstream candidates.