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India Gazette
4 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Nilambur Assembly bypoll: 59.68 pc voter turnout recorded till 3 pm
Nilambur (Kerala) [India], June 19 (ANI): The Nilambur Assembly Constituency in Kerala, where by-elections are underway, recorded an approximate voter turnout of 59.68 per cent by 3:00 pm on Thursday. The polling, conducted under tight security arrangements, is part of the AC-Bye Election 2025. Polling in Kerala's Nilambur started today 7 am. The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has fielded M Swaraj, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded Aryadan Shoukath, while the BJP has fielded Adv. Mohan George is a candidate for the Nilambur Assembly constituency. United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukhath expressed confidence in a UDF victory for the constituency, saying that the state government has 'totally neglected Nilambur area,' with tribals not being rehabilitated and human-animal conflict increasing. Earlier, Kerala LoP and Congress MLA VD Satheesan also said that a UDF victory would mark the party's return to the state. Speaking to ANI, Satheesan said, 'This is a political contest, a direct fight between the UDF and the LDF. It is the semi-final leading up to the 2026 Assembly elections, and we are confident of winning by a significant margin. We see this as an opportunity to hold the Pinarayi government accountable, a government that has been in power for the past nine years.' The bypoll has been necessitated after the resignation of Left Democratic Front independent legislator PV Anvar, who later joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) after his acrimonious break-up with the ruling alliance. (ANI)
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Nilambur bypoll turns into an intellectual wrestling match; voters still want roads, not rhetoric
MALAPPURAM: As Nilambur heads to vote on June 19 in one of the most talked-about bypolls in Kerala, the real battle isn't just between LDF's M Swaraj and UDF's Aryadan Shoukath -- it's also between two rival camps of writers and 'cultural icons' trying to out-endorse each other. Both candidates are widely accepted as members of Kerala's 'buji' (intellectual) circle -- well-read, well-spoken, and perhaps more likely to be found in a lit fest than a local market. The result? The campaign trail turned into something resembling a literary seminar with political banners. The buzz began when LDF launched a campaign fronted by cultural heavyweights, wrapped under the banner "Samskarika Keralam Swarajinoppam". In simpler terms: 'All the cultured folks are with Swaraj.' A public meet held on June 11 featured an all-star lineup -- K R Meera, Murukan Kattakada, Benyamin, Sheela Tomy, PT Kunjumuhammed and others -- who lent their names and reputations to push for Swaraj.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Rain, rallies & rhetoric mark final day
Kozhikode: The three-week campaign for the high-stakes Nilambur bypoll — whose timing before the local body polls and 2026 assembly election gave it significant political importance — came to an end on Monday. Despite heavy rain in Nilambur town, major political parties undertook a high-octane kottikalasham (festive closing ceremony), turning it into a vibrant show of strength. UDF's Aryadan Shoukath, LDF's M Swaraj and NDA's Mohan George held impressive roadshows, arriving at their designated spots in town with flags, drums, DJ music and campaign songs that added colour to the event. Independent candidate PV Anvar, who triggered the bypoll by resigning his MLA post, skipped the grand finale and focused on grassroots outreach in Amarambalam panchayat. While UDF framed the bypoll as a semi-final before assembly elections and a 'public trial' of the Pinarayi Vijayan govt's nine years of alleged misrule, LDF pitched it as a vote to continue the govt's development and welfare initiatives. Factors that made the bypoll an intense contest included the 'do-or-die' campaign by Congress and IUML in Nilambur, the energizing of Left cadres after CPM state secretariat member M Swaraj was fielded to retain the seat and the dramatic entry of Anvar as an independent candidate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologist: Just Add 1 Drop Of This Household Item To Any Dark Spot And Wait 3 Minutes Undo BJP, initially lukewarm in its approach, ramped up its campaign in recent days focusing on Christian voters with George as its candidate and positioning itself as a development alternative. Anvar is running a silent campaign (except for his roadshow led by TMC MP Yusuf Pathan on Monday) seeking votes against 'Pinarayism' and the political nexus he claims includes opposition leader VD Satheesan. The final day of the campaign saw high-voltage rallies. Swaraj began his roadshow from Vazhikkadavu at 9am and reached Nilambur by 3:30pm. He told supporters that although the opposition tried to rake up controversies and sow seeds of division and hatred, LDF stayed focused on development and solving people's issues. Shoukath also led a roadshow from Vazhikkadavu in an open vehicle accompanied by leaders, including Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil and many supporters on two-wheelers. He urged people to turn the bypoll into a strong verdict against nine years of neglect in Nilambur and Kerala. Around 4:30pm, Shoukath and Swaraj stood in the rain and addressed their supporters. George, who also held a roadshow, said many voters want change, with support crossing traditional party lines in his favour. Over 2.3 lakh voters are expected to vote on June 19 in the bypoll.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Campaigning intensifies in Nilambur ahead of kalashakottu
MALAPPURAM: With just hours remaining to wind up public campaigning in Nilambur, all major fronts intensified their election campaign in the assembly constituency on Monday. While LDF candidate M Swaraj carried out a final round of road show across Nilambur, UDF's Aryadan Shoukath canvassed voters in the Nilambur municipality and Moothedam panchayat. The support from Jamaat-e-Islami and PDP for two major fronts has been the hot topic of this election season for the past few days and political parties continued to ride on the issue on Monday also. Both the LDF and the BJP conducted two separate public meetings to protest against communalism. While LDF organised the 'Mahasangamam against communal forces', the BJP's campaign was called 'Desharaksha Sadas'. CPM general secretary M A Baby, who inaugurated the LDF meeting, said the Left front will not join hands with communal forces. However, Baby was careful not to mention Jamaat-e-Islami in his speech. 'Communists are not against churches or mosques. Such a false narrative is being spread here. However, the EMS Mosque in Pulamanthol is a fitting response to this false propaganda,' he said.
New Indian Express
06-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
No Anvar factor in Nilambur, says Swaraj
MALAPPURAM: In fielding its state secretariat member M Swaraj for the Nilambur by-election, the CPM hopes to take on the Congress and the UDF politically. In an interview to TNIE, the 46-year-old candidate says P V Anvar will not be a factor in the bypoll, which he sees as a precursor to the 2026 assembly election. Excerpts: What are the political underpinnings of this election? The Nilambur by-election is a precursor to the 2026 assembly election. Common people want the LDF to win a third term in 2026. That is the sentiment of those who are benefiting from the changes that have taken place in the state over the last nine years. We are interacting with people through development activities and welfare schemes, focusing on the goal of a 'nava (new) Keralam'. Nilambur is an area where farmers face a lot of issues. How are their concerns being addressed? The lives and land of farmers are at risk. One of the most important issues is the applicable legislation, the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, which is a central law. There is strong criticism that it lacks provisions to protect farmers. It should be amended. The environment and wildlife must be protected, but then farmers should receive equal importance. Kerala has submitted a detailed plan to the central government, which has not been approved. There is a problem with all this. The government often says that it is not getting central funds. But it increases the salaries of PSC members while pretending not to see the problems faced by ASHA workers. Wouldn't people see through this? It's propaganda. ASHA workers are part of a central government scheme. States also play a role. The Left's stance is to accept them as workers who should be paid minimum wage. The Centre has not done that. When LDF came to power in 2016, their honorarium was `1,000. We increased it sevenfold, but it is still not enough.
