Congress' Triumph in Nilambur Byelection: A Semifinal Upset for Kerala's LDF

In a fiercely contested byelection, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has successfully taken control of the Nilambur assembly seat from the Left Democratic Front (LDF), securing a significant victory by a margin of 11,077 votes. The election results have dealt a heavy blow to the ruling alliance as they prepare for next year's state elections.

Aryadan Shoukath of the Congress emerged victorious over CPI(M) state secretariat member M Swaraj in an election marked by intense campaigning and competitive exchanges between opposing sides. The result represents the fourth successive by-election upset for the LDF under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

This political shift in Nilambur signals rising anti-incumbency sentiments among voters. As the margins were tallied, an atmosphere of celebration swept through UDF supporters, bolstered by the leadership's claims of an impending capture of power in 2026. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) pledged introspection and recalibration in response to the defeat.

(With inputs from agencies.)