Swaraj did not get lead even in his own panchayat; LDF crumbles in Nilambur

NILAMBUR: UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath has emerged victorious in the Nilambur by-election with a majority of over 11,000 votes. LDF candidate M Swaraj came in second, securing 55,000 votes. Swaraj failed to take the lead even in his own local panchayat, Pothukal, where the UDF led by 800 votes. In the previous election, the LDF had a lead of 506 votes in the same area. The Pothukal panchayat is currently ruled by the LDF.

M Swaraj managed to gain the lead in only one out of the 12 counting rounds, and even then, his lead was a mere 207 votes. However, in UDF strongholds like Moothedam and Vazhikkadavu panchayats, the independent candidate PV Anvar’s performance posed a minor challenge to Shoukath’s momentum. Anvar had earlier told the media that his presence in the election worked in favour of the UDF.

The vote counting took place at Chungathara Mar Thoma Higher Secondary School. In addition to Aryadan Shoukath (UDF), M Swaraj (LDF), Mohan George (NDA), and PV Anvar (Independent), a total of ten candidates contested in the by-election. The election was necessitated after former LDF MLA PV Anvar resigned following clashes with the state government.