Nilambur by-election on June 19; candidate selection a herculean task; trial by fire for UDF and LDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Nilambur by-election, which was announced suddenly with a short notice, will be a guideline for the upcoming elections. There are only 25 days left to prepare for the by-election. The voting is on June 19. This will guide the local body elections to be held in six months and the assembly elections to be held in nine months. Therefore, the Nilambur verdict is seen as laying the foundation for the final battle. It seems that the BJP is not taking this by-election seriously but, this is a trial by fire for the LDF and the UDF. It is also the CPM's turn to settle accounts with PV Anvar, who broke with the Left. The same goes for PV Anvar.

UDF, which has been left out of power for two consecutive terms, has to come back somehow. The leaders claim that the unity in the Congress, which leads the front, has strengthened like never before. The KPCC has also got a new leadership. The fatigue of not having power has affected the constituent parties. Therefore, Nilambur has a higher dimension beyond the victories achieved in the Thrikkakara, Puthuppally and Palakkad by-elections. If Nilambur can be captured, the momentum of the forward leap will increase. The unity of Congress and the front can be convinced to the people.

The Left Front, on the other hand, is confident of the continuation of the government with Pinarayi Vijayan at the forefront. That is what gives strength to the ranks. The opponents calculate that this will collapse like a house of cards. However, if Nilambur can be retained, the Left will open the door to the extraordinary dream of continuing the government again. If the verdict is favourable, the LDF can spread its wings and fly with increased strength. It will also be an assessment of whether the government's fourth-anniversary celebrations have been successful. It will also be a strong response to Anvar, who was part of LDF but pulled up the drawbridge later.

Challenges for both fronts

• UDF

The candidate will be crucial for the UDF. Although no claims have been made, Aryadan Shoukath and V.S. Joy are in the field with the desire to be candidates. Aryadan Shoukath, who contested here once and lost, cannot be wrong if he wants to try once again. V.S. Joy is in the mind of Anvar, who repeats that he will support whoever the UDF makes the candidate. The UDF is facing the challenge of keeping Anvar with them without quarrelling or giving in.

• LDF

A part of the national highway that was celebrated and campaigned for so long had collapsed in Malappuram. How will that affect the by-election? What is more problematic is the protest of the locals who are fed up with the attack by wild animals. Anvar standing like a suicide bomber is a difficult obstacle for the Left. Political observers are keenly watching to see if Palakkadan's strategy of fielding a candidate based on the UDF's infighting will be repeated here. Nilambur, which has repeatedly given victory to Aryadan Mohammed, is generally a right-wing constituency.