BJP likely to field Shaun George as its candidate in Nilambur by-election, hopes to gain from Munambam issue

NILAMBUR: It is indicated that the BJP may field Shaun George as its candidate in the Nilambur Assembly by-election. Currently, around 20 percent of the voters in the constituency are Christians. Reports suggest that the party is also considering a Christian leader from the constituency as a potential candidate.

The BJP's move comes in the wake of favourable political conditions in Munambam and other parts of the state following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. In addition to the traditional vote base in Nilambur, the BJP is aiming to secure Christian votes as well. Meanwhile, the name of young leader Anoop Antony is also being mentioned among the party's potential candidates.

Meanwhile, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, BDJS state president Thushar Vellappally, Shaun George, and other BJP leaders visited Munambam following the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha. During this visit, around fifty people, including Munambam Committee Chairman Joseph Rocky, joined the BJP. After the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju introduced the bill in the Rajya Sabha yesterday afternoon. Following a 12-hour-long discussion, the bill was passed today at around 2 AM. Soon after, the residents of Munambam celebrated the development by bursting firecrackers and chanting slogans in praise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.