Why PV Anvar looms over Congress, LDF in Nilambur bypoll
The Congress has fielded Aryadan Muhammed's son Aryadan Shoukath, who had lost the election in 2016. The LDF nominee is the CPI(M)'s M. Swaraj, a youth leader and native of Nilambur. The BJP has announced advocate Mohan George, a former Kerala Congress (Joseph) leader, as its candidate in continuation of the party's efforts to woo the Christian community.Anvar's nomination paper as a TMC nominee was rejected by the returning officer as the party had apparently delayed authorisation. Anvar then is technically contesting as an Independent, which could mean political freedom to decide on his loyalties should he win.advertisementHow do the Congress-led UDF and LDF assess Anvar's impact on the bypoll? 'Anvar cannot change the destiny of the Congress in Nilambur. We will win by a massive mandate and also inflict a shock on the Pinarayi Vijayan government. The people of Kerala are waiting to give their verdict,' said leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan.CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan Master considers Anvar politically irrelevant. 'Anvar is of concern for the Congress. We are least bothered about him. We are confident of winning the bypoll,' he told INDIA TODAY.Nevertheless, Anvar remains a force to reckon with in the electoral politics of Malappuram. The 58-year-old entrepreneur-turned-politician has a Congress family background. He started his electoral career with the 2011 assembly polls, in which he contested from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) stronghold of Eranad as an Independent, losing narrowly by 11,246 votes but securing a 41.5 per cent vote share.Anvar contested the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 from Wayanad but failed—a vote share of just 4 per cent. In the 2016 assembly polls, the CPI(M) backed him from Nilambur and again in 2021. Under the LDF banner, he also contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Ponnani as an Independent, losing by over 193,000 votes.advertisementAnvar was favoured by the CPI(M) as he lent the party political mileage in Malappuram against the IUML. But relations strained after he was denied a ministerial post in the second innings of the Vijayan government. Whether or not he wins, Anvar can arguably determine the outcome of the election since he has a captive vote base of around 25,000 in Nilambur. Good reason for the LDF and the UDF to keep fingers crossed till counting day.Subscribe to India Today Magazine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
16 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Assam CM slams Gaurav Gogoi over 'missile strike' remarks
Agencies Himanta Biswa Sarma Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that like his wife and two children, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi may become a citizen of a different country. Sarma said SIT constituted to probe the alleged nexus of Gaurav Gogoi's wife with establishment in Pakistan will submit its report in September. The Assam government might hand over the investigation regarding the alleged attempt of Pakistani national, Ali Tauqeer Sheikh to destabilize the state, to CBI or NIA. Sarma has been attacking Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi over his wife Elizabeth Colburn's alleged connection with the Pakistan spy agency said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) instituted by the state government on this has done a commendable job. 'However, the SIT has some limitations. The SIT cannot access electronic evidence like telephonic interactions beyond two years. But NIA can access upto 2011, 2010. So I have asked the SIT to submit their report to me by September 10".'The SIT was given time till September 10. I have told them that we are not going to give them an extension. They will submit the report to me after September 10 depending on my availability and then we will discuss this in the cabinet whether to refer it to the NIA, CBI or the Ministry of Home Affairs,' said the Chief Minister. Assam police registered a case against Pakistani National Ali Tauqeer Sheikh and others under multiple Chief Minister had earlier claimed that although Ali Tauqueer Sheikh, a Pakistani national, works for a climate action group named Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN), most of his works are related to Assam and India's internal politics--more related to internal political affairs of Assam and India and less related to had alleged that Gogoi's wife had "good relations" with the Pakistan Army and even the MP had visited Pakistan "in personal capacity and not official capacity" and stayed there for 15 Chief minister claimed that Colburn had travelled 19 times between India and Pakistan, and Pakistan Army officials had accompanied her in the neighbouring country."We have evidence that he (Gogoi) had gone through the Wagah-Attari border," he had on Thursday said the people of Assam were ''ashamed of his Gogoi's speech in Lok Sabha where he commented on the Indian army''.''He went to the extent of asking why the missile was targeted from a distance and not from a close range. He is such a big scientist that instead of congratulating the Indian Air Force for using such highly modern technology, he questioned our armed forces. Gogoi's speech in the Lok Sabha has proved that he never loved his country, the CM said."His children and wife are foreign citizens. In the near future; he will also change his citizenship. When three members of his family are not Indians, he remains an Indian temporarily,'' he said his constituency comprises Jorhat and Sibsagar, and both the districts have played a significant role in the country's independence struggle and the MP of such an area is now the hero of Pakistan. This is a matter of shame for us,'' he had earlier claimed that the allegations are like a C-grade Bollywood film with the release date set for September 10, and it is going to flop totally as the people of Assam understand had accused Sarma of indulging in politics by dragging his family, wife and children into the matter.
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
From stress to serenity: How India's yoga diplomacy can benefit H-1B holders
As someone who has been advocating for knowledge-worker rights since 2004, I've witnessed the H-1B visa issue evolve from online debates to kitchen table discussions and eventually, to the halls of Congress. The uncertainty and anxiety faced by Indian H-1B holders and their families have only intensified with the growing US visa backlog, now a staggering 11.3 million under the Trump administration. The US visa backlog has real-life implications for millions of Indians who have invested in their American dreams. Delays and uncertainty have become a constant source of stress, affecting not just their careers but also their personal lives. As a nation with a significant soft power asset in spiritual diplomacy, India must navigate this complex issue while balancing its strategic autonomy. A Powerful Tool for Cultural Understanding India's spiritual diplomacy, including Yoga diplomacy, can be a potent tool in promoting cultural understanding and cooperation. With International Yoga Day recognised by over 180 countries worldwide, Yoga has become a global phenomenon, promoting Indian heritage and global harmony. Yoga, with its emphasis on mindfulness, breath control, and physical well-being, can help alleviate stress and anxiety, promoting mental health and resilience. By showcasing its rich spiritual heritage and promoting Yoga, India can foster people-to-people connections and build bridges between nations. Creating a Collective Collaborative Ecosystem To harness the benefits of Yoga diplomacy, India can invite Yoga centres across the country to participate in a unified initiative. This ecosystem can be built by partnering with renowned Yoga centres and ashrams to develop and promote Yoga programs tailored to the needs of Indian citizens abroad. Digital platforms like YogaYukt can disseminate Yoga resources, including videos, apps, and online classes, to enhance accessibility and reach a wider audience of over 650,000 volunteers trained through the Yoga Certification Board. Collaborating with research institutions can also help study the benefits of Yoga and meditation for mental health and well-being. Economic Potential The significance of Yoga and Ayurveda extends beyond culture and diplomacy — they also carry major economic potential. As part of the $4 trillion global wellness industry, India has positioned itself as a leading supplier of Ayurvedic products, herbal remedies, and wellness services. Yoga-related tourism, teacher training programs, and international workshops generate revenue and open up employment opportunities. With global trends shifting toward preventive health and natural living, India is increasingly seen as a hub for integrative healthcare — a fusion of tradition and innovation. A Game-Changer for Global Understanding India's collective collaborative effort to promote Yoga diplomacy can be a game-changer in fostering global understanding, cooperation, and peace. By harnessing the power of Yoga and meditation, India can promote its rich spiritual heritage, build bridges between nations, and demonstrate its commitment to the well-being of individuals worldwide. This initiative can not only aid in addressing the challenges faced by Indian citizens abroad but also showcase India's unique cultural identity and promote a positive image of the nation globally. With a 25-million-strong Indian diaspora representing a powerful network of influence across the world, Yoga diplomacy provides a cultural link that strengthens ties between these communities and their homeland. As India continues to navigate complex global issues, its Yoga diplomacy effort can serve as a beacon of hope and cooperation, promoting a more harmonious and peaceful world order. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Starlink granted satellite internet permit; spectrum allocation norms ready: Scindia
'Starlink has been granted a Unified License to launch satellite internet services in India. Frameworks for spectrum allocation and gateway establishment are ready, ensuring smooth rollout,' Scindia said. The announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call made in the country in 1995. New Delhi, Jul 31 (PTI) Elon Musk-led Starlink has received a licence to launch satellite service in India, and a framework for spectrum allocation is also in place for a smooth rollout, Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Thursday. Along with Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio SES are also awaiting spectrum allocation to roll out their satcom services. The minister said over the last 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's digital transformation has been nothing short of extraordinary. 'From remote villages to bustling cities, digital access has empowered citizens, bridged divides, and made India a global leader in affordable, inclusive technology,' he said. The minister said that telephone connections in the country now stand at 1.2 billion and internet subscriptions have surged by nearly 286 per cent to reach 970 million. 'Broadband usage has seen explosive growth of over 1,450 per cent, rising from 60 million in 2014 to 944 million today. Most notably, the cost of mobile data has dropped by 96.6 per cent, making India the global leader in affordable data at just Rs 8.9 per GB,' he said. Scindia said the revival of BSNL has been a major breakthrough. 'For the first time in 18 years, BSNL reported back-to-back net profits of Rs 262 crore and Rs 280 crore in FY 2024-25. Over 83,000 4G sites have been installed, with 74,000 already operational, all built on indigenously developed technology. Crack Teams, AI-powered monitoring, and fibre fault resolution within 12 hours have raised service standards across the board,' the minister said. He said India's rapid 5G rollout has covered 99.6 per cent of districts, with 4.74 lakh 5G towers and 300 million users. 'With the world's highest per capita 5G usage (32 GB per month) and 100 Use Case Labs in place, India is also among the top six countries in 6G patent filings. Investments under the Production Linked Incentive scheme have touched Rs 4,305 crore, resulting in Rs 85,391 crore in sales and over 28,000 jobs. Foreign Direct Investment has nearly tripled from USD 282 million to USD 710 million,' the minister said. Commenting on the 30th anniversary of the first cellular call in India, telecom industry body COAI Director General SP Kochhar said India's telecom sector has witnessed a phenomenal transformation since the country's first cellular call in 1995. 'Today, India stands as the world's second-largest telecom market, boasting over 1.2 billion subscribers and some of the most affordable tariff rates globally. An Indian subscriber now uses over 21 GB of data each month on average, which is a testament to the world-class infrastructure developed by leading Indian telecom operators,' Kocchar said. He said that the mobile service landscape in the country started with 2G and now over 85 per cent of India's population and over 99 per cent of the districts in India enjoy access to 5G services. PTI PRS PRS DR DR This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
