Nilambur By-election Heats Up as LDF, BJP, and PV Anvar File Nominations
Malappuram: The political contest in the Nilambur by-election has intensified with the Left Democratic Front (LDF), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and P.V. Anvar submitting their nomination papers.
LDF candidate M. Swaraj filed his nomination with the Nilambur Tahsildar M.P. Sindhu, the Deputy Returning Officer, at 11 AM, leading a procession of supporters. He was accompanied by prominent CPI(M) leaders including A. Vijayaraghavan, P.K. Sainaba, and E.N. Mohandas. Following the submission, Swaraj told reporters, “My hope for victory remains undimmed, no matter who contests.”
Soon after, P.V. Anvar also submitted his nomination papers. He arrived at the Nilambur Taluk office in an open jeep, amidst a procession of his supporters. Anvar made a strong statement, saying, “Ours is a land where there are ministers who sign cheques for 10 lakh rupees when wild animals kill people. My fight is for the poorest in society.”
BJP candidate Adv. Mohan George filed his nomination in the afternoon, also arriving with a large procession of party workers. BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, senior leader P.K. Krishnadas, and BDJS President Thushar Vellappally were among those who participated in the procession. The BJP had faced criticism for its initial reluctance to contest the by-election, before the dramatic announcement of Adv. Mohan George as their candidate.
Including the UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath and SDPI candidate Adv. Sadiq Naduthodi, a total of four candidates have submitted their nominations so far.
Meanwhile, the election convention for UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath will be inaugurated today at 4 PM at Nilambur Courtpadi by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal. Yesterday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had inaugurated the election convention for LDF candidate M. Swaraj.
The Nilambur by-election is scheduled for June 19, with vote counting declared for June 23. Today (Monday, June 2) is the last day for submitting nominations. Scrutiny of the nominations will take place on June 3, and the last day to withdraw nominations is June 5.