Anvar's pressure tactics fail, UDF picks Shoukath for Nilambur bypoll

Irked Anvar criticises Congress move, terms it unilateral decision by party and not by UDF

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ T'Puram

WITHSTANDING tremendous pressure from P V Anvar, the Congress leadership on Monday announced Aryadan Shoukath as the UDF candidate for the June 19 Nilambur assembly bypoll. Despite Anvar openly campaigning for Malappuram DCC president V S Joy, the KPCC stood firm in its decision to go with Shoukath, son of late Congress veteran Aryadan Mohammed.

A former Nilambur panchayat president, Shoukath is serving as the KPCC general secretary. The cultural face of the Congress, he has also written screenplays for several award-winning movies. Speaking to the media soon after the party announced his candidature, Shoukath expressed confidence that the party would put up a united fight.

"The party has entrusted me with a major responsibility. I am confident the UDF will be able to wrest back the seat this time around," he said. Nilambur has been traditionally a UDF stronghold, though LDF independent P V Anvar could win it in 2016 and 2021.