PV Anvar | Photo credit: FILE
PV Anvar, former Nilambur MLA and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) state convener, has launched a disappointing campaign for the upcoming local body elections in the state.
Despite Mr. Anwar’s bold claim that the AITC will be the deciding factor in the elections, the party is not fielding any official candidates across the state. Instead, a dozen or so of his supporters are running as Independents in and around Nilambur.
Five of Mr. Anvar’s supporters are running in Nilambur municipality under symbols such as balloon, umbrella and scissors, despite his earlier claim that the candidates would contest on AITC’s flower and grass symbol.
After the AITC state committee led by president CG Unni sought the Election Commission of India to suspend the party symbol, Mr. Anwar was prevented from receiving the party symbol of flowers and grass.
Mr. Anvar has fielded one candidate for the district panchayat and one for the block panchayat. Besides, it has two candidates in Karulai, five in Vazhikkadav and three in Moothedam panchayats.
Although there were rumors of candidates fielding in Pothukal and Edakkara panchayats, many potential contenders withdrew from the race at the last minute.
Posters and banners in Nilambur municipality and neighboring panchayats described the candidates as AITC-backed independents; but the state unit of the party took exception to this claim.
“AITC has not fielded any candidates in the state nor are we supporting any political fronts or independent candidates. Any use of Trinamool name for campaign purposes will be treated as an offence,” Mr Unni said.
He said they would object to anyone using the Trinamool flag, symbol or name in the elections. “We will approach the Election Commission against those candidates who are contesting as Trinamool-backed independents,” Mr. Unni said.
He said Mr. Anwar’s candidates would soon have to remove the Trinamool name from their posters.
Published – 25 Nov 2025 21:19 IST
