Overview

• P.V. Anvar has accused UDF chairman V.D. Satheesan of sidelining his career and blocking his planned meeting with Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal.
• The UDF will hold a final vote on May 31 to decide whether to admit Anvar’s All India Trinamool Congress into the coalition.
• Anvar’s refusal to withdraw derogatory remarks about UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath remains a key obstacle to his entry.
• Supporters have plastered Nilambur with flex boards bearing Anvar’s image as he presses his case ahead of the June 19 bypoll.
• Senior Congress leaders are split over accommodating Anvar, with some urging reconciliation and others warning his tactics could undermine party unity.