Will Nilambur bypoll be a game changer for candidates?

Nilambur, June 16 (NationPress) With only a day remaining for public campaigning to conclude in the Nilambur assembly by-election, the competition has escalated dramatically. All four candidates, supported by their parties' prominent campaigners, are making a concerted effort to attract voters ahead of the polls on June 19.

The primary contest is between Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath and CPI(M)’s former legislator M. Swaraj. The final result may be influenced significantly by the votes secured by P.V. Anvar, a two-time Independent legislator who left the seat in January due to a disagreement with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and BJP candidate Mohan George.

As is customary in election campaigns, each major participant is proclaiming triumph. BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has asserted that George is poised for victory, despite the party receiving only 8,595 votes in the constituency during the 2021 elections.

Meanwhile, Anvar has attracted attention with the support of former Indian cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan, who has been actively campaigning for him.

“I’m here for Anvar’s campaign now, and I’ll return for his victory celebration -- he’s destined to be the man of the match in Nilambur,” said Pathan during an energetic tour of the area.

However, the largest audiences have shown up for Wayanad MP and AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, whose rallies attracted large crowds even in the face of heavy rainfall.

Nilambur is part of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, where Priyanka Gandhi achieved an impressive lead of 65,132 votes from this assembly segment alone in the November by-election.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also drawn large crowds, utilizing every opportunity to criticize both Congress and Anvar.

Both CPI(M) and Congress have sent their top leaders to Nilambur, each with specific roles assigned.

One of the most energetic campaigners has been first-time MLA Chandy Oommen, son of the late former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. He has reportedly visited over 2,300 homes in the Edakkara panchayat, which has a significant Christian demographic.

In 2016, Anvar won against Shoukath by a margin of 11,504 votes. His winning margin shrank to 2,800 in 2021 against Congress candidate V.V. Prakash, who sadly passed away just before the counting day.

Now running without the Left’s support, Anvar's performance will be pivotal. If he successfully attracts more votes from the CPI(M)’s base, Shoukath may gain an advantage. Conversely, if his support disrupts the Congress vote, it could be Swaraj who emerges victorious when the results are announced on June 23.