Nilambur Bypoll Results 2025: Congress Win the Election
Nilambur Bypoll Results 2025: Congress Win the Election
The Nilambur Assembly constituency in Kerala saw a major political shift on June 23, 2025, when the United Democratic Front (UDF) reclaimed the seat from the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in a closely watched by-election.
Result Snapshot
| Candidate | Party | Total Votes | Vote Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aryadan Shoukath | Congress (UDF) | 77,737 | 44.17 % |
| M. Swaraj | CPI(M) (LDF) | 66,660 | 37.88 % |
| P. V. Anvar | Independent (ex‑MLA) | 19,760 | 11.23 % |
| Mohan George | BJP (NDA) | 8,648 | 4.91 % |
| Others & NOTA | — | 2,084 | ~1.8 % |
As per Election Commission data, Aryadan Shoukath won by a clear margin of 11,077 votes (newsonair.gov.in, results.eci.gov.in, en.wikipedia.org).
Key Feature
- The by-election was triggered by the resignation of P. V. Anvar in January 2025 (en.wikipedia.org).
- Held on June 19, 2025, with counting conducted over 19 rounds on June 23 (newsonair.gov.in).
- Voter turnout stood at approximately 75 % (newsonair.gov.in).
- This is the first time the LDF lost a sitting seat in its current term, marking a notable blow to the ruling alliance (onmanorama.com).
Why Congress Won
- Anti‑incumbency mood: Many voters voiced discontent with LDF governance—Shoukath capitalized on that sentiment (onmanorama.com).
- Independent spoiler effect: With P. V. Anvar commanding 11 % votes, the split in LDF’s voter base may have aided Congress.
- Effective local campaign: UDF emphasized development issues—roads, tribal welfare, and local infrastructure—resonating with voters.
What This Means Going Forward
- Boost for UDF ahead of 2026 Kerala General Elections: Party leaders, including A. K. Antony, view this victory as the first step toward reclaiming power (newsonair.gov.in, timesofindia.indiatimes.com).
- LDF shaken: The loss signals vulnerabilities in Left strongholds like Nilambur.
- Mixed signals nationwide: While AAP and BJP picked up seats in Punjab and Gujarat, Kerala bucks the trend (onmanorama.com, moneycontrol.com).
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Nilambur by-election reflects voter fatigue with the current regime and a sharp resurgence of Congress under strong local leadership. The electorate clearly prioritized local issues and accountability, and Aryadan Shoukath delivered on that promise in style.