Nilambur: In a significant political development, Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath clinched a resounding victory in the much-anticipated Nilambur Assembly by-election in Kerala, defeating his closest rival, CPI(M)’s M. Swaraj, by a margin of 11,077 votes. The result is being viewed as a major morale boost for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and a symbolic blow to the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Shoukath secured 77,737 votes, while Swaraj finished with 66,660 votes. Independent candidate P.V. Anvar, who had vacated the seat earlier this year following a rift with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, managed a surprising 19,760 votes, far exceeding expectations. BJP candidate Mohan George trailed with 8,648 votes.
One of the most striking aspects of the result was Shoukath’s performance in traditionally CPI(M)-dominated regions, including Swaraj’s own polling booth, where the Left candidate trailed — an unprecedented outcome.
“This is a victory for Nilambur’s people, and I believe the takeover has begun from here,” said an emotional Aryadan Shoukath, as he hugged his elderly mother. Reflecting on his late father, veteran Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed, he added, “My father saw Congress lose Nilambur twice and was heartbroken. Now his soul will be happy.”
Mohammed had represented Nilambur eight times, and his legacy was seen as a crucial factor in this bypoll.
The result marks the first time in 28 years that a CPI(M) State Secretariat member—in this case, Swaraj—has lost a by-election in Kerala. Despite the defeat, Swaraj responded with grace: “We did our best. I don’t believe this is a vote against the Left government. We’ll continue to work for the people.”
The Congress leadership sees the result as a clear referendum on the ruling LDF. Senior party leader and AICC General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said, “This win in Nilambur is a clear sign of growing anti-incumbency. Even when we lost Chelakkara, we gained votes. Today, we have regained this seat, and that matters.”
