Nilambur bypoll to be four-cornered contest

The June 19 bypoll in the Nilambur Assembly constituency in Kerala is shaping up to be a fierce four-cornered contest with the addition of PV Anvar and Mohan George as the Trinamool Congress (AITC) and BJP candidates, respectively, in the fray.

- HT Correspondent

KOCHI:

Anvar, whose resignation in January as a Left-backed Independent lawmaker had forced the bypoll, said on Sunday that he would file his nomination papers on June 2 as an AITC candidate after his persistent efforts to be inducted into the Congress-led UDF proved to be unsuccessful.

He said he was forced to take the decision as the UDF 'closed its doors' on him. At a press conference at his home, the former MLA lashed out at Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, terming him 'autocratic' and accusing him of blocking the path for him to be brought into the UDF.

"This bye-election is an opportunity for the common people of Nilambur to register their protest and grievances against the current LDF dispensation and the chief minister," Anvar said.

"Particularly, there are hardships being faced by the migrant settlers in hilly areas. We are fighting to win. We will get the anti-incumbency votes against the CM," he added.

Anvar added that the UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath would not succeed in the bypoll as he does not have the strength to counter the politics of Pinarayi Vijayan.