Nilambur By-Election 2025: UDF’s Resounding Comeback Victory
The Nilambur by-election held on June 19, 2025, concluded with the United Democratic Front (UDF) reclaiming the seat in a dramatic and politically significant win. Below is a full breakdown of the election outcome and its broader implications for Kerala politics.
Election 2025: Final Results Snapshot
| Candidate | Party/Status | Votes | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aryadan Shoukath | UDF (Congress) | 77,737 | ✅ Winner |
| M. Swaraj | LDF (CPI-M) | 66,660 | Runner-up |
| P. V. Anvar | Independent (TMC-backed) | 19,690 | 3rd Place |
| Mohan George | NDA (BJP) | 8,562 | 4th Place |
Highlights from Election Day & Counting
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Counting held on June 23, 2025, across 19 rounds.
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Aryadan Shoukath led consistently from round 1 to 19.
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The final margin of 11,077 votes gave the UDF a morale-boosting win.
Takeaways from the Nilambur Verdict
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Congress Reclaims Legacy Stronghold
Shoukath, son of veteran leader Aryadan Muhammed, restores Congress dominance in Nilambur. -
Anvar’s Relevance Intact
Despite losing, P. V. Anvar garnered enough votes to keep himself politically significant. -
LDF’s Narrative Misfire
CPI(M)’s messaging did not resonate with Nilambur voters, especially on communal lines. -
Preview of 2026 State Elections
Leaders call this a “semi-final” for the UDF ahead of next year’s assembly polls.
Political Background: Why This Seat Mattered
This by-election was necessitated by P. V. Anvar’s resignation in January 2025 after falling out with the CPI(M). The Nilambur seat has long been a Congress bastion, historically held by Aryadan Muhammed.
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Voter count: 232,384 voters were registered for this election.
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Previous MLA: Anvar had won in 2016 and 2021 with LDF support.
What Kerala’s Political Leaders Are Saying
UDF Leaders React
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V. D. Satheesan: Called the result “a semi-final” success for UDF.
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Sunny Joseph: Open to future collaboration with Anvar, calling it “practical politics.”
LDF’s Standpoint
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M. Swaraj: Maintained ideological consistency, even in defeat.
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CPI(M): Emphasized that values would not be sacrificed for votes.
What Lies Ahead After Nilambur?
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UDF Energized for 2026: The win serves as a launchpad for their assembly campaign.
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Anvar as a Potential Kingmaker: His support base may become a valuable asset in future coalitions.
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LDF Recalibration Needed: The party may revisit its outreach and messaging.
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Congress-Anvar Axis? Dialogue remains open as leaders hint at strategic cooperation.
Final Analysis: A Turning Point for Kerala Politics?
The Nilambur result does more than return a seat to Congress—it sets the tone for upcoming political battles. Shoukath’s victory reflects a voter shift toward secular, development-oriented campaigns and signals that traditional parties are regaining lost ground.
