'This is team UDF's victory, will make a strong comeback in 2026 assembly elections by winning more than 100 seats'

KOCHI: Opposition Leader VD Satheesan described Aryadan Shoukath's victory in the Nilambur by-election as a collective success of "Team UDF." Addressing a press conference, he said that the people of Kerala are fed up with the current government. He also said that the UDF would make a strong comeback in the 2026 assembly elections by winning over 100 seats.

“Aryadan Shoukath’s impressive victory is the result of a unified and tireless effort by Team UDF. Even I was astonished by the dedication shown by our leaders and activists. The people of Nilambur have given us the fuel we need for the UDF’s return in 2026. We reclaimed Nilambur with five times the vote margin. I am deeply grateful to the people, leaders, and workers who made this possible," Satheesan said.

"Every leader worked together in harmony in Nilambur, and not a single UDF vote shifted elsewhere. The LDF lost 16,000 votes here. This victory is proof that the UDF has grown stronger. We will return to power with over 100 seats. Although the constituency reorganisation had altered the political character of Nilambur, with this election, it has become a UDF stronghold again. UDF has the organisational strength to defeat even the most disciplined cadre parties," he said.

On the topic of PV Anvar, Satheesan said this is not the time to discuss the matter and clarified that he had not made any unilateral decisions. “The media wrongly portrayed Anvar’s case as my personal decision. Any decision regarding him will be taken after thorough consultation,” he said, reiterating that the result in Nilambur was a reflection of strong anti-incumbency sentiment among the electorate.