Nilambur is a trial run for 2026 Assembly polls: UDF

UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath greeting supporters accompanying his roadshow from Vazhikkadavu to Nilambur on June 17. | Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN

United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders predicted a thumping victory for their candidate Aryadan Shoukath in the Nilambur byelection, saying that it would be a trial run for the 2026 Assembly elections.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan said that Nilambur would mark the beginning of the UDF juggernaut for the 2026 Assembly elections, and forecasted a solid victory for the UDF with at least a 15,000-vote margin.

Mr. Satheesan accused the CPI(M) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) of conducting the worst kind of campaign in Kerala’s political history by trying to bring extreme communal polarisation.

He said the UDF raised issues like wildlife attacks, agricultural problems, sufferings of ASHA workers, pension and healthcare not for political gains. “We will address those issues when we come to power,” he said.

Responding to the CPI(M)‘s criticism that Mr. Shoukath had not visited former DCC president V.V. Prakash’s house, the Opposition leader said that it was a deliberate attempt to divert people’s attention. “Prakash had his last journey wrapped in the tricolour flag. His widow Smita avers that she will remain with the Congress until death,” he said.

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty said that the outcome of the Nilambur byelection would be a barometer for the UDF’s performance in the 2026 Assembly elections. “Nilambur is a trial run for the UDF,” he said.

He said the LDF was trying to divert attention from key issues such as problems faced by the people in the hilly region, development and the collapse of the National Highway by introducing silly matters.

KPCC president Sunny Joseph said that the key issues in the Nilambur byelection were the LDF’s hypocrisy, anti-people policies, and efforts to humiliate Malappuram district.

“The government that refused to increase the meagre wages of ASHA workers by even ₹10 has increased the salary of the PSC Chairman and the fees of the Chief Minister’s PR agency. The people of Nilambur know on whose side the government is,” said Mr. Joseph.

All India Forward Bloc State general secretary G. Devarajan said that Nilambur would give a fitting reply to the government’s negative stance towards job aspirants, ASHA workers, SC/ST and backward communities, and distressed farmers in the State.

Published - June 17, 2025 06:44 pm IST