Nilambur Bypoll: Know Candidates, Voter Demographics & Key Controversies Shaping High-Stakes Contest

In Nilambur Byelection, ten candidates are competing, including representatives from LDF, UDF, NDA, and Anwar as an independent.

The campaign focused on local issues like human-wildlife conflict, unemployment, and communal polarization.

Source : PTI

Voting is underway in Nilambur on Thursday for a crucial by-election that has evolved into a high-stakes political battle involving four major fronts: the ruling CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF), the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), and the Trinamool Congress.

The bypoll was necessitated by the resignation of former MLA PV Anwar, who recently joined the Trinamool Congress as its state convener. Anwar stepped down from the Assembly after a high-profile fallout with the LDF, accompanied by public allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his inner circle. 

Nilambur Polling & Voter Demographics

Voting is taking place across 263 polling stations, with 2.32 lakh eligible voters on the rolls. The electorate includes 1,13,613 men, 1,18,760 women, and 8 transgender voters. First-time voters number 7,787, alongside 373 overseas electors and 324 service voters. Counting of votes will be held on June 23.

Nilambur Bypoll Candidates 

Ten candidates are contesting the seat, including representatives from major parties and independents: M Swaraj (CPM), Aryadan Shoukath (INC), Adv Mohan George (BJP), PV Anwar (Independent/Trinamool-backed), Adv Sadik Naduthodi (SDPI), N Jayarajan (Independent), P Radhakrishnan Namboothiripad (Independent), Vijayan (Independent), Satish Kumar G (Independent), Harinarayanan (Independent), as per a report on Manorama. 

While Swaraj (LDF), Shoukath (UDF), and George (NDA) represent the three main alliances, Anwar’s independent run with Trinamool backing adds a wildcard to the equation.

Campaign Themes & Controversies

The campaign was intense and often heated, dominated by hyperlocal issues like human-wildlife conflict, particularly following the death of a student caused by an illegal wild boar trap. The incident triggered public outrage and forced political parties to reassess their wildlife and forest management policies.

Pension distribution failures, unemployment, and infrastructure development were other major talking points. However, the campaign also took on a communal tone at times, with Chief Minister Vijayan accusing the Congress of “communal polarisation.” The opposition, in turn, alleged that the LDF was catering to identity politics to consolidate votes in the Muslim-majority constituency.

International issues also entered the fray, with parties voicing positions on the Israel-Palestine conflict to appeal to specific voter blocs.