Latest news with #Shoukath
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Shoukath vows to revive stalled UDF projects
Newly elected MLA Aryadan Shoukath has assured the people of Nilambur that he will work for the development of the constituency and will be in the forefront as their own 'Baputty'. He is endearingly called Baputty by the local people. Expressing gratitude to the voters during a reception at Chandakunnu, Nilambur, Mr. Shoukath promised to revive the previous United Democratic Front (UDF) government's projects that had been stalled for nine years. However, he voiced apprehension about the government's cooperation during his nine-month term in the Assembly. 'Only if there is a UDF-led government in 2026 will Nilambur's development get top priority. The people have already responded to those who spoke against me. My goal now is Nilambur's development,' he said. He rallied through Chungathara, Pothukal, Vazhikkadavu, Edakkara, Moothedam, Karulai and Amarambalam panchayats and Nilambur municipality in an open vehicle along with UDF leaders. Hundreds of UDF supporters on bikes and cars accompanied Mr. Shoukath.
The Hindu
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Shoukath's Panakkad visit marks shift in IUML-Congress dynamics
Congress State general secretary Aryadan Shoukath, who won the Nilambur Assembly byelection with an impressive margin of 11,077 votes, visited Panakkad, near here, on Tuesday and sought the blessings of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal. Mr. Shoukath's visit to Panakkad was seen as more than a courtesy call to the chief of a major United Democratic Front (UDF) constituent. It was a strategic move that could potentially mark the beginning of a new era in the Congress-IUML relations within the UDF in Malappuram district. Despite decades of partnership, the Congress and IUML have had a strained relationship, particularly in Malappuram district. Historical unease between the two key UDF constituents, fuelled by scepticism among some veteran Congress leaders towards the IUML, had led to friction and even electoral clashes in several panchayats. This even required the UDF leadership to intervene and mediate in the past. Mr. Shoukath's father Aryadan Mohammed, the late Congress stalwart who held his sway in Nilambur for over three decades by winning eight Assembly elections, was known for his vocal criticism of the IUML and the Panakkad Thangal leadership. Aryadan Mohammed had repeatedly criticised the Panakkad Thangals and rejected their claim of supremacy over the Muslim community. Following his father's footsteps and driven by his secular approach, Mr. Shoukath too had adopted a similar critical stance towards the Panakkad Thangals. Thangal's blessings When Mr. Shoukath sought the Thangal's blessings ahead of beginning his campaign on May 27, some stakeholders like P.V. Anvar had attempted to revive past criticisms, potentially trying to stir a controversy. But Mr. Shoukath had shifted his stance and publicly praised the IUML and Panakkad leadership well before the Nilambur byelection. It clearly marked a departure from his past criticism. Soon after the election results on Monday, a triumphant junior Aryadan effusively praised the IUML and its leadership and credited their systematic groundwork in Nilambur months prior to the byelection for his win. Mr. Shoukath's visit to Panakkad as the newly elected MLA seemed to signal a fresh start with the IUML by burying past differences and forging a new relationship. The warm hug with Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal and the convivial body language among Congress and IUML leaders at Panakkad on Tuesday conveyed a renewed sense of camaraderie and warmth in their relationship.
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Shoukath prevails in Nilambur, but Anvar steals the show
MALAPPURAM: In an apparent dampener on the CPM's 'Pinarayi 3.0 Loading' campaign, UDF's Aryadan Shoukath romped home beating LDF's M Swaraj with a comfortable margin in Nilambur bypoll, the result of which was announced on Monday. However, it was independent candidate P V Anvar who stole the show with a stunning performance, bagging around 20,000 votes. This is the first time that the LDF has lost a sitting seat in a by-election after the second Pinarayi government assumed office. Anti-incumbency factor was loud and clear in all segments of the constituency, giving heartburn to the CPM that was boasting of the achievements of the LDF government. Shoukath secured lead in almost all the local bodies, except Karulayi panchayat. UDF secured lead right from the first round and steadily increased it as the counting progressed. Anvar, who was forced to jump into the fray after being driven to the wall by the UDF, succeeded in securing votes of both the UDF and the LDF, and came second in booth number one of the Vazhikkadavu panchayat. With this performance, Anvar has once again opened the discussions over his entry into the UDF, which was blocked reportedly by Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan. Midway through the counting, KPCC president Sunny Joseph hinted that the issue is not a closed chapter. IUML state president Panakkad Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal quipped that though Anvar had missed the UDF train from the Nilambur station, he can board from any other station. Among all the constituents of the UDF, the IUML will be happier with the result as there were concerns about possible erosion of its votes as Shoukath was not in the good books of the party. But through systematic work at the grassroot level, the IUML ensured Shoukath's victory and proved the party's strength in Malappuram district, its home turf. Equally happy would be Satheesan, who took all the crucial decisions beginning from selecting the candidate to accepting the votes of the Welfare Party, the political arm of the Jamaat-e-Islami. The result has boosted his position in the party and among the possible contenders for the chief minister's post in the event of a UDF victory in the next Assembly polls.
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
In Nilambur bypoll win, Congress candidate Shoukath outstrips father's electoral record
Nilambur (Kerala): Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath, who on Monday registered a stellar victory at the Nilambur Assembly by-election in Kerala by securing 77,737 votes to win with a margin of 11,077 votes, has bettered his late father and long-time MLA Aryadan Mohammed's electoral performance. Aryadan Mohammed was a legend in Nilambur by winning a record eight times and losing thrice. However, Shoukath won the seat in his second poll battle - after losing in 2016, but his father could win only in his third attempt in the 1977 polls after losing in 1965 and 1967. In the present election, CPI-M candidate finished second, and got 66,660 votes. More importantly, the Congress-led UDF has regained Nilambur for the first time after the 2011 Assembly polls. In 2016, P.V. Anvar, fielded as a Left-backed independent candidate, beat Shoukath by 11,504 votes, and he retained the seat in 2021, defeating the then Congress candidate by 2,800 votes. This time, Anvar, whose resignation necessitated the bypoll, contested as an independent candidate and got 19,760 votes, while the BJP's candidate Mohan George ended up with 8,648 votes and forfeited his deposit money. However, Anvar surprised all with the number of votes he managed to secure. CPI-M state Secretary reflecting on the defeat, claimed that the UDF has lost votes in the bypolls said as compared to the 2021 polls. "For us, this is one constituency where we cannot win in a political fight, and we have won when we put up independent candidates. The votes for the BJP-led NDA have come down as compared to 2016, and since the BJP candidate never had a chance, their votes have gone elsewhere. Moreover, the votes of the Jamat-e-Islami, all know where they have gone from the words of the Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan. The tactic of the Congress is to use both majority and minority communalism, and has resulted in the victory of the Congress," Govindan maintained, adding that the Left worked only for secular votes, and they will go forward in the same manner. "This has nothing to do with any wave against the Left government, and we are on track to form a third successive Left government," he said, referring to the Assembly elections due next year. On his part, Satheesan said this victory is for the 'Team UDF'. 'We, right from the start of our campaign, were able to sense that there was a massive anger against the (Chief Minister Pinarayi) Vijayan government's nine years of rule. The Team UDF, comprising leaders and workers, worked very hard, and we got exactly what we had expected. We will continue to work as Team UDF as we are going to win a landslide win at the 2026 Assembly polls," he asserted.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bypoll results 2025: Congress gains in Kerala, suffers loss in Punjab; TMC retains West Bengal, BJP-AAP take one seat each in Gujarat
NEW DELHI: Bypolls were held on June 19 for five Assembly seats across Gujarat, Kerala, West Bengal, and Punjab, and counting took place on June 23. The contests saw a mix of gains and setbacks for national and regional parties. Here's a state-wise breakdown: Kerala: Congress' UDF wins Nilambur in big blow to LDF In a major setback for Kerala's ruling LDF, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukath defeated CPI(M)'s M Swaraj by a margin of 11,077 votes in the Nilambur bypoll. Shoukath, son of former minister Aryadan Mohammed, secured 77,737 votes, while Swaraj managed 66,660. The seat fell vacant after two-time MLA PV Anvar, an LDF-backed independent, resigned. The victory gives the Congress a morale boost ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Lok Sabha MP from neighbouring Wayanad, congratulated Shoukath and said: "We worked as a team, each one with commitment and single pointed focus, that is the most important lesson of this success... Your trust and belief in the values of our Constitution, and in the UDF's vision for progress will be the guiding light for our way forward." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Преносим лазерен заваръчен пистолет, 50% отстъпка днес HL Купете сега Undo West Bengal: TMC's Alifa Ahmed registers landslide win in Kaliganj Trinamool Congress candidate Alifa Ahmed, daughter of late MLA Nasiruddin Ahmed, won the Kaliganj bypoll in Nadia district by a thumping 50,049-vote margin over BJP's Ashish Ghosh. Alifa polled 1,02,759 votes, while Ghosh got 52,710. Congress' Kabil Uddin Shaikh finished third with 28,348 votes. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee thanked voters and dedicated the win to 'Maa-Mati-Manush' and the late Nasiruddin Ahmed. 'In the by-election of the Kaliganj Assembly constituency, people from all religions, castes, communities, and all walks of life have overwhelmingly blessed us... I dedicate this victory to the people of Bengal,' she said. Alifa, an engineer by training, quit her job in the private sector and entered politics inspired by MP Mahua Moitra. Gujarat: AAP retains Visavadar , BJP holds Kadi The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gopal Italia defeated BJP's Kirit Patel in Visavadar by a margin of 17,554 votes, reclaiming the seat that it had won in 2022 but lost due to the defection of its MLA, Bhupendra Bhayani, to the BJP. Meanwhile, the BJP retained its Kadi seat where Rajendra Chavda won by nearly 40,000 votes, maintaining its grip on the constituency since 2017. Punjab: AAP retains Ludhiana West, Congress' Ashu resigns In Punjab, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) retained the Ludhiana West seat, with candidate Sanjeev Arora defeating Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu by 10,637 votes. Arora secured 35,179 votes to Ashu's 24,542. The bypoll was necessitated after the death of sitting AAP MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi. Soon after the defeat, Ashu announced his resignation as Punjab Congress working president, saying he was taking "moral responsibility" for the loss. 'I have tendered my resignation while taking moral responsibility for the electoral defeat in the by-election,' he told reporters in Ludhiana. The BJP's Jiwan Gupta polled 20,323 votes, and SAD's Parupkar Singh Ghuman received 8,203.
