Anvar’s ‘DMK’ stirs political waters in Kerala, causes ripples in TN too

PV Anvar’s recent announcement of a social collective named Democratic Movement of Kerala (DMK) at a public meeting in Manjeri has not only stirred political waters in Kerala but also caused a small ripple effect in Tamil Nadu’s political theatre.

The choice of the name "DMK" raised eyebrows, given its similarity to the Dravidian party in Tamil Nadu, which is allied with both the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress.

Anvar’s trip to Chennai, just before the party’s launch, garnered significant attention in Malayalam media, with some outlets speculating – without much evidence – that he was positioning himself for entry into national politics through an alliance with the Tamil Nadu DMK.

Anvar’s Tamil connection

It was intriguing to witness a significant number of people at the public meeting carrying flags and wearing shawls in the red and black colours of the DMK. While most turned out to be Anvar’s followers from Nilambur and nearby areas, there was also a noticeable presence of supporters from the bordering districts of Tamil Nadu.

Also read: Interview | CPM leader MA Baby: 'Anvar can only create a temporary smokescreen'

This mix of attendees added an extra layer of interest to the event, further sparking speculation about Anvar’s political intentions and his possible appeal across state lines.

Before heading to the meeting venue, Anvar was seen addressing reporters in Tamil even after the DMK leadership had distanced itself from him. This gesture added to the intrigue surrounding his political moves, despite the lack of endorsement from the Dravidian party.

Political vision

According to their vision statement, the new social organisation announced on October 6 aims to champion political, social and economic justice for all citizens, while also serving as a protector of Indian democracy and the Constitution. Despite heavy rains, Anvar was met with an enthusiastic crowd of supporters, many donning DMK shawls and waving flags.

“We aim to establish a social movement that champions freedom of belief and equality,” he declared, marking a clear intent to mobilise ordinary people as the backbone of this initiative. Anvar emphasised the need for a democratic socialist policy rooted in social justice, stating, “Our objective is to address Kerala’s socio-economic divide.”

Praise for Stalin

The formation of the DMK drew attention in Tamil Nadu, especially following Anvar’s recent meetings with DMK leaders in Chennai. He claimed that he met Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, but there was no confirmation from the DMK.

Also read: Ground Report | Will Anvar's rebellion cost LDF Muslim support in Malabar region?

Reports suggest that Anvar sought to position his movement as an ally to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, although he later clarified that there was no immediate plan for him to join the party.

“Stalin is a leader who can be trusted by the secular community,” he said, indicating his desire to align with leaders who share his vision for secular governance. The announcement comes at a time when Anvar has publicly criticised Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and accused his administration of failing to uphold democratic values.

DMK stays away from Anvar

He stated: “Who laid out the red carpet for BJP’s entry into Kerala? We must ask ourselves these questions.” This rhetoric not only positions him against Pinarayi but also seeks to draw parallels with Stalin’s leadership in Tamil Nadu, emphasising a narrative of secularism and social justice.

Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, there are complexities at play. DMK spokespersons have made it clear that while they respect Anvar’s right, they will not adopt any policies that can alienate their allies, particularly the CPI(M). “We will not adopt a policy that would upset our alliance,” said DMK leader TKS Elangovan, reinforcing the delicate balance within Tamil Nadu’s political alliances.

However, Anwar alleged that the Kerala Police was targeting DMK leaders in Tamil Nadu by visiting their homes on the pretext of ongoing investigation into gold smuggling cases to intimidate them.

Challenging times 

“There was a huge hullabaloo over my visit to Chennai yesterday. The most secular and democratic party in India right now is undoubtedly the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. I went there, met the leader and his party members. Should I have gone to an RSS centre instead? If I had, this government would have given me all the support. Today, a senior official flew to Chennai to meet Stalin and ask him to reject me. This is the information I’ve received,” claimed the MLA.

Also read: CPI(M) severing all ties with Independent MLA Anvar: Party's Kerala secretary Govindan

Anvar’s ability to galvanize support among ordinary citizens while navigating complex party dynamics will be crucial as he seeks to establish this new social movement. The coming weeks will reveal how effectively Anvar can translate this momentum into actionable political change across Kerala.

UDF, IUML, LDF vis-à-vis Anvar

Political fronts in Kerala have approached Anvar’s initiative with caution. The Congress-led UDF remained noncommittal, despite reports that the Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leaders were in touch with the disgruntled LDF MLA.

However, they kept a safe distance from the event though some local workers did attend the meeting. On the other hand, the ruling LDF dismissed Anvar’s moves, stating that even the exit of more prominent leaders from the party had not affected its support base significantly, signalling their confidence that his move wouldn’t pose a major threat.