UDF would have secured a majority of over 25,000 votes if PV Anvar had been brought to front: Ramesh Chennithala

MALAPPURAM: Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said that the UDF's majority in the Nilambur by-election would have gone past 25,000 votes if PV Anvar had been brought into the alliance. Speaking to the media following Aryadan Shoukath's victory in Nilambur, Chennithala congratulated the people of Nilambur for delivering a decisive victory to the UDF.

"Although both Kunhalikutty and I tried very hard to bring PV Anvar into the alliance, things didn’t work out. The UDF has always embraced those who have taken a stand against the CPM. Therefore, our stance was that Anvar should have been included. The votes secured by Anvar were also anti-incumbency votes. If he had been with us, the Left would have lost by over 25,000 votes," Chennithala said.

"Aryadan Shoukath has now reclaimed the Nilambur seat, which had been with the LDF for two consecutive terms. The result strongly reflects anti-government sentiments. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan should now resign. Future decisions will be made collectively by the UDF leadership. This was the semifinal. UDF will win the 2026 assembly elections," Ramesh Chennithala added.

In the Nilambur bypoll, UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath won with a majority of 11,432 votes, securing a total of 76,493 votes. LDF’s M Swaraj came second with 65,061 votes. PV Anvar emerged as a crucial player in the contest, garnering 19,946 votes. NDA candidate Mohan George trailed behind with 8,706 votes, finishing fourth.