Kozhikode: Former Nilambur MLA P V Anvar has said he is willing to contest from Beypore in the upcoming Assembly election if the UDF leadership believes his candidature would be beneficial. Speaking to Manorama News, Anvar said the final decision rests entirely with the party leadership. 

He said the invitation to contest from Beypore forms part of a calculated political strategy. Anvar also said those encouraging him to contest from Beypore are keen to defeat Minister P A Mohammed Riyas.

“The decision on whether I should contest, and if so from where, has to be taken by the party leadership. Even if I do not contest, I will work for the party’s election campaign,” Anvar said. 

He claimed that LDF workers themselves harbour resentment against P A Mohammed Riyas and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and said this dissent was reflected in the increased vote share secured by the UDF in the Kozhikode Corporation elections.

“There is nothing wrong in party workers expecting me, who have spoken out against Riyas, to contest from his constituency and defeat him. However, the decision lies entirely with the leadership,” Anvar said.

On December 22, Opposition Leader V D Satheesan announced that Anvar, who serves as the State convenor of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) in Kerala, would join the UDF ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

The development assumes significance as Satheesan had earlier strongly opposed any move by Anvar to align with the UDF. He had firmly discouraged any association with Anvar during the Nilambur bypoll and the recent local body elections.

The latest move signals a clear shift in political strategy as the Assembly elections draw closer. Anvar had earlier quit the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and has since expressed his willingness to join the UDF.