What Drama Unfolds in Nilambur’s Bypoll with Anvar’s Comeback and BJP’s Unexpected Candidate?

Nilambur, June 2 (NationPress) The stage is set for the upcoming June 19 by-election in the Nilambur assembly constituency located in Kerala's Malappuram district.

Though it's technically a four-way contest, the main rivalry is evidently between the ruling CPI(M) - led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).

The Congress has nominated Aryadan Shoukath, the son of veteran leader Aryadan Mohammed, while the CPI(M) has brought in its notable youth leader and former MLA M. Swaraj.

The BJP has chosen political renegade Mohan George, while also featuring two-time legislator P.V. Anvar, who had resigned in January after a fallout with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

After dramatically exiting the scene, Anvar had previously promised to support the UDF and declared he would not run in the by-election.

However, in an unexpected twist, he submitted his nomination on Monday after failing to rejoin the UDF, largely due to strong opposition from Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan.

Despite attempts by the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a significant UDF ally, Satheesan remained steadfast.

Now aligned with the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Anvar criticized UDF leaders before submitting his nomination.

“If Satheesan, Shoukath, and Minister Riyas don’t change their behavior, just wait -- I’ll disclose a lot. I’ve sought one of two symbols -- if not AITC’s, it will be another. Satheesan behaves like Hitler, and even the IUML is displeased with his attitude,” Anvar revealed to the media.

In the 2016 elections, Anvar won against the Congress candidate by a margin of 11,504 votes. However, his victory margin diminished in 2021, where he barely won with just 2,700 votes.

The BJP, which garnered 8,595 votes in 2021, has nominated Mohan George -- who received party membership just a day prior to his candidacy announcement. In 2016, the BJP-backed BDJS candidate had received 12,284 votes.

For the CPI-M, this by-election is crucial. Chief Minister Vijayan initiated the party’s campaign on Sunday and is expected to return for another campaign round starting June 13.

This marks the first time since 2006 that the CPI-M is fielding its own candidate in Nilambur.

Nilambur has historically been a Congress bastion, with Aryadan Mohammed winning the seat on eight occasions between 1965 and 2011.

After submitting his nomination, Swaraj described the CPI-M's campaign launch led by CM Vijayan as “electrifying,” asserting that the public views this by-election as a precursor to the 2026 assembly elections, where the Left aims for a third consecutive term.

While Anvar and George assert that the competition will be tight, many believe the real showdown is between Shoukath and Swaraj.

As the nomination window closed on Monday, all eyes are now on how many dummy candidates will enter the race -- a common occurrence in Kerala elections.