'Battle of PVs'; All eyes on Nilambur bypolls

MALAPPURAM: With the by-election in Nilambur confirmed in May, the fronts have unofficially activated candidate discussions. KPCC General Secretary Aryadan Shoukath and DCC President VS Joy are contenders from Congress. Apart from the team appointed by the AICC, two private agencies affiliated with Congress surveyed the constituency. PV Anvar has declared his support for the UDF.

The CPM will field an independent candidate in Nilambur. The communists are currently lurking behind in hope for any possible rift within congress during the candidate’s election. CPM will announce their candidate only after Congress.

Sports Council President U Sharaf Ali, retired teacher Thomas Mathew, who sharply reduced veteran Aryadan Muhammad's majority in 2011, and district panchayat member Shorona Roy are in preliminary discussions.

In the first election after Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s ascension as state party chief, NDA will pick a local face, capable enough to increase vote percentage. Navya Haridas, who contested against Priyanka in Wayanad, and BJP East District Committee member Rashmilnath are under consideration.

20 per cent of Christian votes in Nilmabur ups the chances of VS joy while the huge popularity and organizational influence makes Aryadan Shoukath the mightier among the two. The high command does not want a public controversy over the candidacy in Nilambur, the constituency Priyanka Gandhi represents. The Muslim League will not comment on the candidate selection.

The CPM has intensified its preparations to respond to P.V. Anvar's attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. State Secretariat Member M. Swaraj has been camping in Nilambur for over a month. A UDF win will be allegorical of a defeat for Pinarayi Vijayan and a victory for Anvar. In the last assembly elections, LDF's PV Anvar, who contested as an independent, won with a majority of 2,700 votes.