Nilambur becoming most debated by-election in Kerala; four-cornered electoral battle heating up constituency

MALAPPURAM: Four candidates have filled the election field of Nilambur, after talks and undercurrents unseen in any other by-election. M Swaraj is the LDF candidate, Aryadan Shoukath for the UDF, Adv Mohan George for BJP and PV Anvar for Trinamool. Adv Sadiq is also in the fray for the SDPI.

The political situation is that Shoukath's victory is becoming a matter of pride for Opposition Leader VD Satheesan and Swaraj's victory for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The one who lit the torch for the fight was PV Anvar, who left the Left Front and turned against the Chief Minister and against the Leader of the Opposition after not getting a place in the UDF.

Shoukath, who lost to Anvar, who was an independent from the Left in 2016, has got a payback chance with Left Front and Anvar. Anvar snatched the constituency that had been in the hands of Shoukath's father Aryadan Mohammed for three and a half decades. Shoukath did not have good relations with the Muslim League at that time.

Although living in Tripunithura, M Swaraj, a native of Pothukallu, Malappuram, is well-liked among the people of Nilambur. CPM believes that there is no other leader who can overcome the challenge posed by Anvar. Swaraj's candidacy has also excited the party workers.

Anvar became the Trinamool Congress candidate in a do-or-die situation. Anvar hopes to steal votes from the UDF and the LDF. He is also trying a tactic to gain sympathy votes waking an emotion that he had bad experiences from both fronts.

The League is saddened that Congress did not give in despite the League's best efforts to keep Anvar with the UDF. BJP is also adding excitement to the contest by giving party membership to Kerala Congress (Joseph) state committee member Mohan George and making him the lightning candidate. Mohan George joined the party yesterday afternoon after his announcement as the candidate. The BJP's move is aimed at Christian votes.