Kerala By-Election: A Political Litmus Test

The Nilambur Assembly by-election in Kerala commenced with a voter turnout of 13.15% as of 9 am, shortly after polling began at 7 am. This by-election follows the resignation of former Left Democratic Front (LDF) legislator PV Anvar, who defected to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) after severing ties with the ruling coalition.

Major political parties have put forward their candidates: M Swaraj for the LDF, Aryadan Shoukath for the United Democratic Front (UDF), and Adv. Mohan George representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Anvar is also contesting independently as his negotiations with the UDF failed to secure an alliance.

The by-election serves as a crucial battleground for both the LDF and UDF, with its outcomes seen as pivotal ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls. Leaders like Kerala's Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan of the Congress, emphasize its significance, calling it a 'semi-final' that could herald the UDF's resurgence in state politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)