Thiruvananthapuram — Independent-backed Left legislator P.V. Anvar resigned Monday, submitting his resignation to Kerala Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer. Anvar’s resignation follows months of criticism against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Anvar, who represents the Nilambur constituency in Malappuram, had been a vocal critic of the chief minister since September. His resignation sets the stage for a by-election in the constituency, with more than a year remaining in the current Assembly’s term.

Speculation about Anvar’s departure intensified last week after he met with West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata. The announcement of his new role as TMC coordinator in Kerala fueled rumors that the Left government would seek to disqualify him as a legislator.

Anvar delivered his resignation letter in person to the speaker at the Assembly office Monday morning. Following his meeting with the speaker, Anvar confirmed his resignation and said he intends to join the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

Anvar’s decision to resign follows a series of events that escalated his conflict with the Left government. Last week, he was arrested for damaging a forest office during a protest over the death of a constituent who was trampled by a wild elephant.

CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan downplayed the significance of Anvar’s resignation, saying it would have no impact on Kerala politics and that Anvar had no choice but to join the UDF.

Anvar, who was elected as a Left Independent legislator in 2016 and retained his seat in 2021, submitted his resignation to the Speaker of the Kerala Assembly, following his appointment as the coordinator of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kerala.