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Key Points

Workers from UDF and LDF clashed in Kurumbalangod during the Nilambur Assembly by-election, leading to police intervention. UDF filed a complaint alleging LDF violated campaigning rules, while CPI(M) denied involvement. Voting continued smoothly in remote areas despite tensions. The by-poll results, seen as a precursor to 2026 state elections, will be announced on June 23.

Key Points: UDF and LDF Workers Clash During Nilambur By-Election Polling

  • UDF accuses LDF of illegal campaigning post-deadline
  • Police detain two individuals linked to the clash
  • Voting proceeds smoothly in remote Punchakkoli booth
  • By-poll results to be declared on June 23
3 min read

Nilambur Assembly by-election: UDF and LDF workers enter into scuffle in Kurumbalangod of Malappuram district

Workers from UDF and LDF scuffled in Malappuram during Nilambur bypoll, with police detaining two amid allegations of illegal campaigning.

"This is a political contest, a direct fight between the UDF and the LDF. - VD Satheesan"

Malappuram, June 19

United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF) workers engaged in a scuffle in Kurumbalangod of Malappuram district during polling for the Nilambur Assembly by-election on Thursday.

UDF has lodged a Police complaint, alleging that despite the conclusion of official campaigning, LDF workers from outside the constituency remained near polling booths and continued campaigning on election day.

Following the complaint, police took two individuals into custody. Local CPI(M) branch secretary tells ANI that the detained individuals are not LDF workers.

Voting progressed smoothly at the Punchakkoli polling booth located deep within forest region. Despite the remote location, voters turned up to exercise their democratic rights.

Polling in Kerala's Nilambur started today 7 am. Polling was also held in Punjab's Ludhiana West seat, Kaliganj in West Bengal and Visavadar and Kadi seats in Gujarat.

The results for the same will be announced on June 23.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has fielded M Swaraj, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded Aryadan Shoukath, while the BJP has fielded Adv. Mohan George is a candidate for the Nilambur Assembly constituency.

The bypoll has been necessitated after the resignation of Left Democratic Front independent legislator PV Anvar, who later joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) after his acrimonious break-up with the ruling alliance.

United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukhath expressed confidence in a UDF victory for the constituency, saying that the state government has "totally neglected Nilambur area," with tribals not being rehabilitated and human-animal conflict increasing.

Earlier, Kerala LoP and Congress MLA VD Satheesan also said that a UDF victory will mark the return of the party to the state.

Speaking to ANI, Satheesan said, "This is a political contest, a direct fight between the UDF and the LDF. It is the semi-final leading up to the 2026 Assembly elections, and we are confident of winning by a significant margin. We see this as an opportunity to hold the Pinarayi government accountable, a government that has been in power for the past nine years."

Meanwhile, Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate M Swaraj cast his vote in the by-election at booth no. 202 of the Government LP School in Muthiri Mankuth.

Swaraj stated afterwards that voting is a citizen's right and urged everyone in the constituency to exercise their franchise.

Apart from Swaraj and Shoukath, the BJP has fielded Adv. Mohan George from the seat.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
This is why Kerala politics never changes - same old fights between UDF and LDF. When will they focus on actual development instead of booth clashes? The tribal issues mentioned by UDF candidate are serious, but is anyone really working on solutions?
P
Priya M.
As a Malayali, I'm proud to see high voter turnout even in remote forest areas! 🎯 But political parties should maintain decorum. These scuffles create bad impression before 2026 elections. Hope the results bring some positive change for Nilambur's tribal communities.
S
Suresh V.
Both fronts are equally responsible for these incidents. I remember similar clashes in 2021 elections too. The BJP candidate might benefit from this infighting. Interesting to see if they can make any impact in this traditional UDF-LDF battleground.
A
Anitha R.
The human-animal conflict issue is serious in Nilambur. My cousin lives there and elephants destroy crops regularly. Hope whoever wins actually works on this instead of just making promises. These bypolls are test of credibility for all parties.
M
Manoj T.
Calling this a "semi-final" for 2026 elections shows how politicians think of elections as games rather than people's mandate. Disappointing but not surprising. The independent-turned-TMC MLA's resignation that caused this bypoll itself was political drama.
L
Lakshmi N.
Respect to the voters who traveled through forest areas to vote! 👏 But parties must ensure peaceful polling. Kerala has high literacy but our political culture still has these ugly moments. Hope the results bring stability to Nilambur after all this drama.

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