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India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
West Bengal: Mock-polling held ahead of bypolls in Kaliganj
Kaliganj (West Bengal) [India], June 19 (ANI): Mock polling was held at a polling booth in the Kaliganj assembly constituency ahead of voting for the Kaliganj bye-elections, which began at 7 AM. The visuals show election officials casting a vote and conducting a mock-polling drill before the actual polling begins. Pradyut Mallick, Presiding Officer at Booth No 171, Debagram DK Girls High School, in the Kaliganj Assembly Constituency, told ANI, 'Good arrangements have been made by the Election Commission. Security is also good... Seeing everything, we are confident that voting will take place peacefully... Mock poll is going on currently, and everything is going on smoothly... There are 1174 voters in this polling station...' The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) has fielded Alifa Ahmed, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Ashish Ghosh, and the Congress has fielded Kabil Uddin Shaikh as candidates for the by-elections. On Saturday, the BJP announced Ashish Ghosh as the candidate for the upcoming Kaliganj assembly constituency bypoll. Meanwhile, the TMC announced Alifa Ahmed as their candidate for the Kaliganj shared a post on their official 'X' handle and informed about the development. 'AITC, under the inspiration and guidance of Chairperson Mamata Banerjee, we are pleased to announce the candidate for the upcoming West Bengal Legislative Assembly By-election scheduled for 19th June, 2025', the 'X' post read. Bye elections in Kaliganj will be held on June 19, and the results will be counted on June 23. The seat became vacant following the death of TMC MLA Nasiruddin Ahamed. On May 25, the Election Commission of India announced dates for by-elections on five assembly constituencies across four states. These include Gujarat's Kadi and Visavadar, Kerala's Nilambur, Punjab's Ludhiana West and West Bengal's Kaliganj. Bye-election will be held in Gujarat's constituencies Kadi and Visavadar to fill the posts of Karsanbhai Punjabhai Solanki, who passed away in February this year, and the resignation of Bhayani Bhupendrabhai Gandubhai. In Kerala, the bye-election will be held in Nilambur to fill the post of PV Anvar, an LDF-backed MLA who resigned in January this year. He was appointed convener of the Kerala unit of the Trinamool Congress (TMC). In Punjab, the bye-election will be held in Ludhiana West to fill the post of Gurpreet Bassi Gogi after his demise in January. (ANI)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Four-cornered showdown in Nilambur as high-octane bypoll campaign draws to a close
The high-voltage public campaign for the Nilambur assembly bypoll on 19 June drew to a close on Tuesday, with various political parties holding massive roadshows and rallies to mark its culmination. Hundreds of political activists took to the streets, seeking votes for their respective candidates and expressing solidarity with them. Colourful festoons were strung up, cinematic songs were played, and drums were beaten as the high-octane campaign concluded in the evening. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Party workers could be seen dancing, holding balloons, and waving party flags. The parting of ways between LDF-backed independent MLA P V Anvar and the ruling CPI(M) paved the way for a bypoll in Nilambur, a forest-fringe constituency located in the northern Malappuram district. Live Events With just months remaining for the Pinarayi Vijayan government to complete its consecutive second term in office, the by-election in Nilambur has become a prestigious battle for both the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF and the opposition Congress-headed UDF. While the Congress picked former chairman of the Nilambur Municipality, Aryadan Shoukath --the son of the late party veteran Aryadan Mohammed-- the CPI(M) put its weight behind its state secretariat member, M Swaraj. While both traditional fronts expressed confidence in their victory, the BJP-led NDA decided to try its luck by fielding lawyer-politician Mohan George, who was previously associated with various Kerala Congress factions. With the surprise entry of Anvar himself -- now the Trinamool Congress state convenor -- into the poll fray, the contest in Nilambur has become a four-cornered fight, further increasing the political heat. Unlike many other constituencies, issues ranging from the common man's concerns -- such as human-animal conflicts and welfare pensions -- to international topics like the Israel-Palestine conflict and the Congress's alleged association with Jamaat-e-Islami became subjects of intense debate during the bypoll campaign . Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who attended multiple poll rallies in Nilambur and campaigned for party candidate Swaraj, accused the Congress leadership of playing communal cards to win the election. The Congress-led UDF strongly rejected the charges, turning the allegation back at the LDF camp, accusing them of attempting to woo communal votes in the Muslim-dominated constituency. The opposition also sought to bring back into focus the controversial remarks made by Vijayan in the past in connection with the Muslim-dominated Malappuram district. The ruling camp, however, attempted to counter the narrative by highlighting the "bribery" remarks made by AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal in connection with the disbursal of welfare pension arrears, made on the sidelines of the upcoming bypoll. The CPI(M), which accused him of attacking a vital welfare scheme, seized upon the comment made during a speech as part of the ongoing Nilambur bypoll campaign, framing it as an insult to pension beneficiaries. The support extended by the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed political outfit, the Welfare Party, for the UDF in the election also triggered debates during the campaign. The Left alleged that the Welfare Party's support for the UDF candidate was part of the communal stance that the Congress-led alliance in the state has been continuing for some time. However, the LDF justified the support extended by the People's Democratic Party (PDP), led by controversial cleric Abdul Nasar Ma'dani, for the Left candidate in the Nilambur bypoll, stating that it was a party that has suffered "several persecutions" in the state. Even months before the announcement of the bypoll date, human-animal conflict had been a burning issue in the forest-fringe district, as the constituency witnessed a series of casualties and widespread crop destruction in recent times. The death of a hapless school student after coming into contact with an illegal wild boar trap in Nilambur, during the bypoll campaign period, triggered a huge political row across the state. Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, recently used incidents of human-animal conflict and the alleged politicisation of the welfare pension scheme to criticise the LDF government while visiting the constituency to campaign for Shoukath. With a day left for the crucial bypoll -- widely regarded as a curtain-raiser for the upcoming state election next year -- all major candidates expressed confidence in their victory. While addressing a press conference in Nilambur, Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, V. D. Satheesan, claimed that Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath would win by a margin of no less than 15,000 votes. However, LDF convenor T P Ramakrishnan rejected the claim, stating that the political climate in Nilambur was in favour of their candidate, M Swaraj. The counting will be held on June 23.
India Gazette
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
BJP's Rajeev Chandrasekhar slams Congress over Jamaat-e-Islami support in Nilambur bypoll
Malappuram (Kerala) [India], June 16 (ANI): BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Monday criticised the Congress party over its alleged association with Jamaat-e-Islami in the upcoming Nilambur Assembly bypoll and accused the party of playing 'opportunistic' politics. Speaking to ANI, Chandrasekhar said, 'The people of India must follow the politics of Rahul's Congress that is being played out here in Nilambur. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra came to Nilambur yesterday to campaign, and she had no words to talk about the obvious contradictions of the Congress party that waves a constitution on one hand and enters into a political alliance with separatists, terror-supporting organisation Jamaat-e-Islami... She comes here but doesn't say a word about the future of the people of this place, but speaks about problems in Gaza and Iran for her petty politics...' After Jamaat-e-Islami announced its support to UDF candidate, the BJP leader further said that going into a 'political alliance' with a 'radical' organisation like Jamaat-e-Islami exposes Congress' 'double standards, lies and opportunist politics.' Chandrasekhar stated, 'Why is Rahul's Congress getting into alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami... Jamaat-e-Islami is an organisation that invited Hamas to speak to the youth of Kerala. It is the organisation that supported terrorist Ajmal Kasaab. It is an organisation that did not speak one word against Pakistani terrorists in the recent killings in Pahalgam. This is the desperate politics of Rahul's Congress. Going into a political alliance with a known radical organisation like Jamaat-e-Islami is a fact that people of India should know and expose the double standards and the lies and opportunist politics of Congress.' Highlighting BJP's position in the by-election, he said that the party has put a vision of 'Viksit Nilambur' which is part of broader 'Viksit Keralam'. Chandrashekhar added, 'As far as BJP is concerned for the Nilambur, we have put forward a vision of 'Viksit Nilambur' which is big part of 'Viksit Keralam', a vision we have built for Kerala. We believe all the people of Nilambur deserve development, job and opportunities...' In the Nilambur by election, Jamaat-e-Islami announced their support for UDF candidate. On June 15, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a roadshow in Nilambur to campaign for the Congress candidate in the upcoming Nilambur Assembly bypoll. The visit is seen as a major boost for the Congress, which is working to secure a win for its candidate Aryadan Shoukath (UDF candidate). Nilambur bye-polls are set to happen on June 19, with counting on June 29. The elections were necessitated after the resignation of PV Anvar, an LDF-backed MLA, who stepped down in January after making several allegations against the Left government in the state. However, Anvar is going to contest the elections under the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) banner. Anvar will be going up against National Democratic Alliance candidate Michael George. The byelection has political significance as it is a precursor to next year's state assembly election and will test the popularity of the current government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan (ANI)
The Print
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Pension, wildlife & secularism in focus as Nilambur bypoll turns prestige battle for UDF, LDF & Anvar
The 19 June bypoll, which comes months ahead of the local body and Assembly elections, was necessitated after two-time MLA P.V. Anvar —an LDF-backed independent—resigned from his seat in January. Declaring an 'open war' against the Pinarayi Vijayan government over alleged corruption, Anvar joined the Trinamool Congress (TMC) but is contesting as an independent after his nomination as a TMC candidate was rejected during scrutiny. The LDF is pushing its development and welfare record, while the Opposition is attacking the government over its failure to communicate effectively with protesting ASHA workers and lives lost to human-wildlife encounters. Thiruvananthapuram: As Kerala gears up for a bypoll to be held in Nilambur this week, which is being seen as an early indicator for next year's Assembly polls, welfare pensions, man-animal conflicts and the definition of secularism dominate a fierce contest between the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and opposition United Democratic Front (UDF). On Sunday, TMC MP and former cricketer Yusuf Pathan joined his campaign. While Pathan backed Anvar, the LDF's star campaigner was CM Vijayan, who addressed rallies across three panchayats Sunday. Vijayan has been camping in Nilambur since Friday, with the party campaign being directly overseen by CPI(M) general secretary M.V. Govindan. The UDF, meanwhile, received a boost as senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addressed multiple rallies Sunday. 'This bypoll can be seen as a curtain-raiser ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The UDF and LDF are treating it as such. The BJP doesn't have much relevance here. The larger question is whether Kerala will see a third Pinarayi Vijayan government or a UDF return,' said political analyst C.R. Neelakandan. The CPI(M)-led front, looking for a historic third term in 2026, is hoping that a Nilambur win will boost its prospects. For the UDF, out of power since 2016, a victory in Nilambur could be a shot in the arm. Also Read: Nilambur bypoll: How Anvar, once Kerala's richest MLA, is adding twist to crucial LDF-UDF contest UDF looks to reclaim old stronghold Nilambur in northern Malappuram is traditionally a UDF stronghold, with late Congress leader and former Minister Aryadan Mohammed representing the seat from 1987 to 2016. The LDF's breakthrough here came in 2016 after it joined hands with Anvar. Now, the Congress has fielded Mohammed's son, Aryadan Shoukath—a screenwriter and former local body representative—while LDF is banking on M. Swaraj, a native of Nilambur and former MLA from Thripunithura. The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate is Advocate Mohan George, a former Kerala Congress leader who joined the party this month. Campaigning for Swaraj, Vijayan said LDF came to power in 2016 and was re-elected in 2021 because people wanted the government to continue. Entering its tenth year, he said, this was the right time to look back at what LDF had achieved. 'We thought projects like the National Highway would never take off in Kerala. Now it's close to completion. Investment perception has shifted too—from being investment-unfriendly to topping national indices,' he said in Nilambur's Pothukal panchayat Sunday. M. Swaraj echoed Vijayan's view, saying a Left win in Nilambur would lead to continuation of developmental work in the state. 'The entire constituency is signalling change. If a period in Kerala's history is to be called its golden age, it's the last nine years,' he said. Swaraj added that over 60 lakh beneficiaries are receiving Rs 1,600 in monthly welfare pension, and credited the government for timely textbook distribution and improvements in education and healthcare. 'If the Left wins here, it will generate the political energy we need. Even if the current Assembly has limited time left, we can at least initiate some of the work for Nilambur. And in 2026, we'll build on that when we return to power,' he said. Campaigning for Shoukath, Priyanka Gandhi said Nilambur should elect a government that acts responsibly. She criticised the state government over the ongoing ASHA workers' protest and the worsening man-animal conflict. 'Shoukath, like his father Aryadan Mohammed, has done commendable work at the local level. If he's elected, and with me as your MP, we will work together to bring change,' she said. Over hundreds of ASHA workers have been staging protests outside the state Secretariat since February for a hike in honorarium and pension benefits, with multiple discussions failing to arrive at a solution. Some protestors also campaigned against the LDF in Nilambur Friday without supporting any party. Shoukath, in his speech, promised commitment, 'If you elect me, I will always be here, not leave halfway. You'll never have to bow your head before anyone.' A Congress functionary from Malappuram told ThePrint that internal party disputes led to the party's loss in the last two Assembly polls, claiming it was not the case this time. 'This time, all Congress workers and even the League are taking this as a pride issue to beat Pinarayi Vijayan and Anvar,' the functionary said, adding that Shoukath has always been active in the constituency and enjoys much local support. Welfare pension, animal attacks & 'real' secular force Located nearly 40 km away from Malappuram town, Nilambur is known for its abundant teak forests surrounding the Chaliyar river. The locality is also part of the 0.4 km elephant corridor that connects Wayanad and Tamil Nadu's Gudalur. According to RTI data accessed by activist K. Govindan Nampoothiry, 197 people died in elephant attacks in Kerala between 2016-17 and January 2025. In the same period, 53 were killed by wild boars and 10 by tigers. Since January this year, at least five deaths have been reported as a result of the man-animal conflict. Priyanka Gandhi blamed the LDF government for failing to tackle the issue, while the state government has repeatedly pointed fingers at the Centre for refusing to amend the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 to allow for controlled culling in human-inhabited areas. Vijayan said the government had demanded the Centre amend the Act. 'It's a law that prevents any action, even when wild animals enter human habitats. Though the Congress brought it, now the BJP refuses to amend it,' he said. The chief minister promised the state would not back down from this demand and would continue to exert pressure. While he had sought a special package to deal with the issue, he said the Centre had not cooperated—but the state would still do everything within its capacity. The Congress, however, accused the state of shifting blame and failing to act. 'I just met a family who lost someone to a tiger. This is the seventh such visit I've made. The government can't keep hiding behind regulations. It's their responsibility to act,' Priyanka said. The welfare pension issue also flared up following Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal's 3 June remark that the LDF 'deliberately withheld pension arrears and released them during elections' to influence voters. Priyanka echoed this sentiment, saying that people's rights like pensions should not be politicised. Vijayan said Sunday the Congress had always opposed welfare schemes. 'This is not charity. For many, it's a right. In 1980, it was the E.K. Nayanar government that introduced a Rs 45 pension for agricultural labourers above 60. Karunakaran opposed it then. It was our government that raised it from Rs 45 to Rs 60, not the Congress,' he said. The LDF is also attacking the UDF over support from the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Welfare Party of India, calling it a communal force. Vijayan alleged that the UDF was accepting support from 'anywhere it could' to win. 'It's an organisation distanced by all major Muslim groups in Kerala. Even the IUML knows that. We don't need sectarian groups. We are counting on secular forces,' he said. The UDF hit back, saying the CPI(M) was raising the Jamaat-e-Islami issue now to cover up governance failures. 'When the group supported the LDF, there were no complaints. Now they bring up this controversy,' said Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan at a press conference in Nilambur. Anvar effect in Nilambur After resigning from the Nilambur seat in January with a declaration of 'open war' against the LDF government, P.V. Anvar decided to contest the byelection independently when his efforts to join the UDF failed. The former MLA had initially extended support to the UDF candidate and even helped the front wrest control of the Chungathara panchayat from the LDF following his resignation. However, the Congress-led alliance distanced itself from him after he publicly criticised its candidate, Aryadan Shoukath, and the Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan. Despite the setback, Anvar chose to enter the fray as an independent candidate. Saji Manjakadambil, a close associate of Anvar, told ThePrint that their camp is confident of victory and of attracting votes beyond politics. 'We have formed committees in all booths and covered every place in the campaign. We are confident of victory with a huge margin from the public who want to dethrone the Pinarayi Vijayan government,' Saji said. Political analyst C.R. Neelakandan noted that Nilambur, traditionally a UDF stronghold, swung to the Left largely due to Anvar's influence. However, he added that Anvar's relevance has diminished in the absence of party backing. 'If anyone wants Pinarayi to come to power or doesn't want that, they won't vote for Anvar,' he said, suggesting that Anvar could still play spoiler by pulling UDF votes and giving the LDF an edge. However, the Congress functionary quoted earlier said Anvar doesn't have enough people for even campaign work in all the booth (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also Read: How Nilambur bypoll in Kerala has turned into a secularism showdown between LDF & UDF
India Gazette
6 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Ahead of bypoll, Priyanka Gandhi holds roadshow in Kerala's Nilambur
Nilambur (Kerala) [India], June 15 (ANI): Congress General Secretary and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra held a roadshow in Moothedam area of Kerala's Nilambur on Sunday, energising party workers and supporters ahead of the upcoming Nilambur bye-elections. Cheered on by large crowds, Priyanka Gandhi waved to supporters from an open truck, as people lined the streets holding party flags and chanting pro-Congress slogans. The visit is seen as a major boost for the Congress campaign, which is working to secure a win for its candidate Aryadan Shoukath. Earlier, senior party leader Ramesh Chennithala told ANI in Thrissur, 'Priyanka Gandhi's visit to Nilambur is for the campaign. We will get a good response from Priyanka Gandhi's visit. Her visit will energise the party workers.' Priyanka had also visited Nilambur on June 13 (Friday), as the area falls under her Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. In Malappuram, Congress leader Shama Mohamed said that such an election is a 'waste of state's money,' criticising PV Anwar for resigning as Nilambur MLA but contesting the by-elections anyway under a different political party. She also expressed confidence that the United Democratic Front (UDF) would win the assembly seat. The Congress leader told ANI, 'In the history of India, it's the first time that an MLA who resigned (PV Anwar) from a seat is standing again for the same seat, that too for a by-election. So what is the point of wasting the state's money, people's work, and the EC's involvement?' Claiming that Anvar is 'fooling the people of Kerala,' she said that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) themselves attack Anvar for not doing work in his constituency, despite being aligned with them before his resignation. 'PV Anwar is fooling the people of Kerala. 'The LDF candidate, M Swaraj, says that PV Anwar has done nothing in the last nine years. Who was PV Anwar with? PV Anwar was an MLA with the LDF. So, Swaraj is saying the LDF has done no work. I believe very strongly the UDF will win with a majority,' Mohamed said. With the Nilambur bypolls just a few days away and the contest heating up, state Congress president Sunny Joseph claimed that the party's MP, Shafi Parambil, was deliberately insulted by the police without any evidence when he came to campaign for the Nilambur by-election. There was a deliberate attempt to insult Congress MP Shafi Parambil. 'The police knew it was Shafi Parambil travelling in the car -- they directed him to stop and flashed a torchlight on his face. Even after recognising him, they asked him to open the car. He complied and even offered to open the bags for any search. This was done purposefully and intentionally,' Joseph said on Saturday. The elections were necessitated after the resignation of PV Anvar, an LDF-backed MLA, who stepped down in January after making several allegations against the Left government in the state. Apart from UDF candidate Shoukath, the LDF aims to retain its seat by having M Swaraj contes, and the BJP has fielded Mohan George. With the assembly elections set to take place next year, the Nilambur bypoll is being seen as a litmus test of public sentiment toward the ruling state government. (ANI)
