UDF wrests Nilambur; Aryadan Shoukath wins by 11432 votes

MALAPPURAM: UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath won the Nilambur by-polls with a majority of 11432 votes. Shoukath won back Nilambur for UDF by securing 76493 votes. LDF's M Swaraj came second with 65,061 votes. P V Anvar emerged as a key force with 19,946 votes. BJP candidate Mohan George came fourth with 8706 votes.

The UDF is getting Nilambur after a decade. The constituency that Aryadan Muhammed won eight times will now be ruled by his son Shoukath. UDF leaders have responded that this is a collective victory. The UDF workers across the constituency have started celebrations.

Aryadan Shoukath was leading throughout the counting of votes. Anvar's progress in the UDF's strongholds of Moothedam and Vazhikkadavu panchayats slightly hindered Shoukath’s progress, but ensured victory.

Meantime, LDF's M Swaraj could not increase his lead even in his own panchayat, Pothukal. The UDF was ahead with 800 votes. The LDF was ahead by 506 votes last time. The Pothukal panchayat is ruled by the LDF. NDA candidate Mohan George was behind throughout.