He fell out with the CPM, the Congress did not accommodate him and his own party, the Trinamool Congress, did not give him a ticket.

Yet, Independent candidate P.V. Anvar secured 19,760 votes in the Nilambur Assembly by-election, unsettling the conventional political dynamics in Malappuram district.

The seat, previously held by Anvar after the 2021 Assembly elections under the ruling LDF’s banner, was won by Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath, who defeated the CPM’s M. Swaraj by a margin of 11,077 votes.

The anti-incumbency sentiment worked in the UDF’s favour, with the CPM’s campaign machinery and administrative reach failing to sway the voters. The CPM, which had hoped to minimise the victory margin, if not retain the seat, failed to do either, a clear indication of the shifting political currents in Kerala.

Anvar, 58, had exited the LDF, citing “irreconcilable differences” with chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and accusing the leadership of corruption. He reportedly expected a berth in the UDF but was sidelined, largely because of Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan’s resistance. Despite criticism from within the Congress over this decision, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief Sunny Joseph defended Satheesan.

“Anvar made several demands regarding candidate selection. How can he dictate terms to the Congress when he isn’t even a part of the UDF? Satheesan played a key role in ensuring Shoukath’s victory in Nilambur,” Joseph said.

With his strong showing as an Independent, Anvar has reinforced his political relevance and is now poised to negotiate for a position within the UDF.

He has declared his intention to challenge tourism minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas — the chief minister’s son-in-law — in the Beypore constituency during the next Assembly elections, potentially as a UDF candidate.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the UDF’s second-largest ally, is reportedly in favour of inducting Anvar. The Congress is scheduled to meet on June 27 to review the Nilambur by-election outcome.