New Delhi: Congress candidate Aryadan Shoukath has won the high-stakes Nilambur Assembly byelection in Kerala, defeating CPI(M)’s M Swaraj by a margin of 11,077 votes, according to final results declared by the Election Commission. This victory marks a significant gain for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and a personal comeback for Shoukath, reclaiming the Nilambur seat that had slipped out of the UDF’s hands in 2016.
- Aryadan Shoukath (Congress/UDF): 77,737 votes
- M Swaraj (CPI-M/LDF): 66,660 votes
- PV Anvar (Independent): 19,760 votes
- Advocate Mohan George (BJP/NDA): 8,648 votes
The results were announced after a day-long counting process held under tight security at the Chungathara Marthoma Higher Secondary School in Malappuram district. Shoukath consistently maintained a lead through all 19 rounds of counting, starting with a 1,200-vote lead in the early rounds and steadily widening the gap.
Reacting to his victory, Shoukath said, “This win is truly against the state government. Nilambur has faced years of neglect under the LDF, and the people have voted against that. This is a reflection of their frustration.”
UDF workers erupted in celebrations across Malappuram after the result was declared. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra congratulated Shoukath on social media, stating: “We worked as a team with single-minded focus. Aryadan Shoukath’s dedication and service have shone through. Most of all, a big thank you to the sisters and brothers of Nilambur for your support.”
The Nilambur seat, historically a stronghold of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key UDF ally, became vacant after PV Anvar’s resignation. The byelection was widely seen as a mid-term referendum on the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government, now in its fourth year. A UDF victory here not only boosts morale but also positions the Congress-led alliance strongly ahead of the 2026 Kerala Assembly elections.
