<p>Thiruvananthapuram: The result of the bypoll to the Nilambur assembly seat in Kerala's Malappuram district coming on Monday is generally being considered as a trend-setter for the 2026 assembly election.</p><p>The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is hopeful of party candidate Aryadan Shoukath scripting success and thereby helping in strengthening the campaign against the Pinarayi Vijayan government.</p><p>For the CPM-led Left Democratic Front, a victory for party state secretariat member M Swaraj will be a major boost to its campaign that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led team is heading for a third term in a row with its 'development and welfare agenda'.</p><p>Nilambur assembly election results attain national significance too as it is part of Wayanad Lok Saba seat represented by AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.</p>.Kerala's Nilambur sees over 73% voting in Assembly bypoll.<p>Even as factors were quite favourable for Shoukath for scripting maiden success in the assembly polls, the entry of former left-front backed independent MLA P V Anvar in the fray has been a cause for concern for both UDF and LDF. </p><p>Support from Indian Union Muslim League and other Muslim outfits is a key advantage for Shoukath. Shoukath, who is the son of late Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed, did not get the support of Muslim outfits during his maiden contest in 2016 assembly polls. It was considered to be the reason for his defeat. </p><p>Hindu and Muslim population comes to around 45 percent each in Nilambur, while Christian population is around ten percent.</p><p>The BJP, which could not make any significant presence in Nilambur so far, is testing the support from Christian voters by poaching a local leader from Kerala Congress (Joseph) party Mohan George and fielding him as BJP candidate. It is even the maiden election in Kerala after Rajeev Chandrasekhar took over as BJP state president.</p>
<p>Thiruvananthapuram: The result of the bypoll to the Nilambur assembly seat in Kerala's Malappuram district coming on Monday is generally being considered as a trend-setter for the 2026 assembly election.</p><p>The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is hopeful of party candidate Aryadan Shoukath scripting success and thereby helping in strengthening the campaign against the Pinarayi Vijayan government.</p><p>For the CPM-led Left Democratic Front, a victory for party state secretariat member M Swaraj will be a major boost to its campaign that the Pinarayi Vijayan-led team is heading for a third term in a row with its 'development and welfare agenda'.</p><p>Nilambur assembly election results attain national significance too as it is part of Wayanad Lok Saba seat represented by AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.</p>.Kerala's Nilambur sees over 73% voting in Assembly bypoll.<p>Even as factors were quite favourable for Shoukath for scripting maiden success in the assembly polls, the entry of former left-front backed independent MLA P V Anvar in the fray has been a cause for concern for both UDF and LDF. </p><p>Support from Indian Union Muslim League and other Muslim outfits is a key advantage for Shoukath. Shoukath, who is the son of late Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed, did not get the support of Muslim outfits during his maiden contest in 2016 assembly polls. It was considered to be the reason for his defeat. </p><p>Hindu and Muslim population comes to around 45 percent each in Nilambur, while Christian population is around ten percent.</p><p>The BJP, which could not make any significant presence in Nilambur so far, is testing the support from Christian voters by poaching a local leader from Kerala Congress (Joseph) party Mohan George and fielding him as BJP candidate. It is even the maiden election in Kerala after Rajeev Chandrasekhar took over as BJP state president.</p>