Nilambur By-election Set for June 19, Political Parties Begin Candidate Discussions
Malappuram: The by-election for the Nilambur assembly constituency in Kerala will be held on June 19, the Central Election Commission announced today. Vote counting will take place on June 23. The official notification for the by-election will be issued tomorrow.
The by-election in Nilambur was necessitated by the resignation of MLA P.V. Anvar. The last date for filing nominations is June 2, and the final date for withdrawal of nominations is June 5. This leaves just 25 days until the polling.
The Central Election Commission also announced that by-elections will be held concurrently in two constituencies in Gujarat, Ludhiana West in Punjab, and Kaliaganj in West Bengal, along with Nilambur.
Following the announcement of the by-election date for Nilambur, major political fronts in the state have begun discussions on candidate selection. Reports indicate that the CPI(M) is considering names such as M. Swaraj, a State Secretariat member; P. Shameer, a District Committee member; V.M. Shoukath, a Regional Committee member; and U. Sharafali.
For the UDF (United Democratic Front), names under consideration include DCC President V.S. Joy and Aryadan Shoukath, son of former minister Aryadan Mohammed and KPCC Secretary. Notably, P.V. Anvar had defeated Aryadan Shoukath in the last election.
BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar stated that the party’s candidate would be decided after a core committee meeting. Indications suggest that the BJP is considering names such as Reshmil Nath, a BJP East District Committee member; Ashok Kumar, Regional Vice President; and Navya Haridas, a Kozhikode Corporation Councillor and the NDA candidate in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election. This by-election also marks the first election taking place after Rajeev Chandrasekhar assumed the role of BJP State President.