Nilambur is the start of UDF's comeback: Oppn
Kozhikode: Opposition leader VD Satheesan said though LDF ran the most divisive and communal campaign in Kerala's political history, UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath will win in Nilambur by over 15,000 votes.
Satheesan, IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty and KPCC chief Sunny Joseph said that the bypoll result will mark the beginning of a larger political turnaround in Kerala. "Not a single household escaped misgovernance and people are desperate to oust this govt. Their anger can push up our win margin," he added.
Though CM Pinarayi Vijayan and LDF leaders tried to bring in brazen communal polarisation in state, it won't succeed in Nilambur.
After failing to appease minorities during LS polls, CPM resorted to majority appeasement to placate the 'bosses in Delhi', he claimed. Before Piravom bypoll, Vijayan had commented on the 'holy hair' issue by saying that hair or nails just becomes waste when they are removed from the body.
Would he dare say such things in Nilambur? he asked.
"At CPM Malappuram conference in 2004, posters sported the images of Saddam Hussein, Yasser Arafat, Qazi Thangal and Ali Musaliyar though they were not linked to CPM.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Overheid geeft huiseigenaren geld om dak te isoleren
Isolatie Experts
Meer lezen
Undo
In Kollam, it used Sree Narayana Guru's photo and in Thiruvananthapuram Mannath Padmanabhan and Chattampi Swamikal pics were used. At Kottayam, in one place CPM used Mannath's pic while in another location it was Mother Teresa. CPM resorted to this tactic in Nilambur," said Satheesan.
He said UDF raised real issues such as man-animal conflict, agrarian distress, issues related to pension schemes and healthcare and assured the people that these problems would cease when UDF assumed office in future.
"If we want to ensure a massive victory in 2026, UDF must win big in Nilambur. This is not just a bypoll, it's the starting point of UDF's larger battle for Kerala," he added.
When asked why LDF candidate M Swaraj visited the family of former DCC president VV Prakash, he said no candidate is barred from visiting homes. Prakash's wife, Smitha had clearly said that a congress flag was draped over her husband's body during his final journey and she will remain in the Congress for the rest of her life.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
‘Betrayer' jibe, Jamaat support: Topics that rocked Nilambur
MALAPPURAM: From the furore over the UDF candidate and suspense surrounding the LDF pick, to Jamaat-e-Islami's support to the Congress-led front and Chief Minister's Pinarayi Vijayan's 'betrayer' jibe, public campaigning for the June 19 Nilambur by-election that wound up on Tuesday sure was eventful. The UDF first suffered a headache when P V Anvar opposed the selection of Aryadan Shoukath as the front's candidate and sought assurance over his entry into the UDF. Attempts to take Anvar into confidence made no headway and the former MLA finally entered the fray as an independent. This was soon followed by the unexpected selection of M Swaraj as the LDF pick. The CPM decided to field Swaraj amid rumours that the party, which had backed Anvar in 2016, would once again field an independent. Meanwhile, the BJP, withdrawn from the contest initially, also announced a candidate. Adv Mohan George's candidacy, who was pulled out of the Kerala Congress, became a political strategy of the BJP, which had its eyes on Christian votes.
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Kerala LoP Satheesan raises CM Pinarayi's comment on ‘Holy Relic' to corner Left front
MALAPPURAM: In a tactical move on the last day of campaign for the Nilambur bypoll, leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan has recalled Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's remarks on the 'holy relic', which is an emotional issue for the Kanthapuram faction of the Sunnis. 'Just before the Piravom by-election, Pinarayi who was then the CPM state secretary said that the nails and the hair of a person should be treated as body waste. He will not say it here (Nilambur),' Satheesan told a press conference on Tuesday. Satheesan deliberately raked up the issue to put the Kanthapuram Sunnis on the defensive because they have been very vocal in attacking the UDF for accepting the support of the Jama'at-e-Islami in the Nilambur by-poll. The scholars from the Kanthapuram group have blasted Satheesan for giving a clean chit to the Jama'at. They questioned the Opposition leader's statement that the Jama'at has backtracked from its earlier stand on theocracy.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Rain, rallies & rhetoric mark final day
Kozhikode: The three-week campaign for the high-stakes Nilambur bypoll — whose timing before the local body polls and 2026 assembly election gave it significant political importance — came to an end on Monday. Despite heavy rain in Nilambur town, major political parties undertook a high-octane kottikalasham (festive closing ceremony), turning it into a vibrant show of strength. UDF's Aryadan Shoukath, LDF's M Swaraj and NDA's Mohan George held impressive roadshows, arriving at their designated spots in town with flags, drums, DJ music and campaign songs that added colour to the event. Independent candidate PV Anvar, who triggered the bypoll by resigning his MLA post, skipped the grand finale and focused on grassroots outreach in Amarambalam panchayat. While UDF framed the bypoll as a semi-final before assembly elections and a 'public trial' of the Pinarayi Vijayan govt's nine years of alleged misrule, LDF pitched it as a vote to continue the govt's development and welfare initiatives. Factors that made the bypoll an intense contest included the 'do-or-die' campaign by Congress and IUML in Nilambur, the energizing of Left cadres after CPM state secretariat member M Swaraj was fielded to retain the seat and the dramatic entry of Anvar as an independent candidate. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologist: Just Add 1 Drop Of This Household Item To Any Dark Spot And Wait 3 Minutes Undo BJP, initially lukewarm in its approach, ramped up its campaign in recent days focusing on Christian voters with George as its candidate and positioning itself as a development alternative. Anvar is running a silent campaign (except for his roadshow led by TMC MP Yusuf Pathan on Monday) seeking votes against 'Pinarayism' and the political nexus he claims includes opposition leader VD Satheesan. The final day of the campaign saw high-voltage rallies. Swaraj began his roadshow from Vazhikkadavu at 9am and reached Nilambur by 3:30pm. He told supporters that although the opposition tried to rake up controversies and sow seeds of division and hatred, LDF stayed focused on development and solving people's issues. Shoukath also led a roadshow from Vazhikkadavu in an open vehicle accompanied by leaders, including Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil and many supporters on two-wheelers. He urged people to turn the bypoll into a strong verdict against nine years of neglect in Nilambur and Kerala. Around 4:30pm, Shoukath and Swaraj stood in the rain and addressed their supporters. George, who also held a roadshow, said many voters want change, with support crossing traditional party lines in his favour. Over 2.3 lakh voters are expected to vote on June 19 in the bypoll.
