Nilambur bypoll: 'UDF united like never before, LDF no real force', says Congress's candidate Aryadan Shoukath

In the midst of a hectic campaign trail, THE WEEK caught up with Aryadan Shoukath, the UDF candidate for the Nilambur bypoll. With just 12 days remaining until the election, Shoukath is racing to connect with as many voters as possible. He voiced confidence that the United Democratic Front’s strength and unity would ensure his victory.

Excerpts from the exclusive interview

Looking at the current situation, do you see this as a bipolar fight? Or, as some media portray it, a four-cornered contest?

It’s not a four-cornered fight. Let’s not exaggerate. This is clearly a bipolar contest.

So, is your strategy focused on defending against the LDF?

Defend? There’s no need to defend against the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Only if they were a real force would there be a need to defend. Right now, the LDF is in a miserable condition. Yes, it’s true they won in 2021—but only by a narrow margin of around 2,000 votes. Since then, they haven’t won a single election. In the Parliamentary polls, we won with a huge majority. In local body elections, too, the Left lost several key seats. In areas where we earlier won by just 50 or 60 votes, we’re now winning by 300 to 400.

In 2016, you contested as the UDF candidate but lost. What has changed since then? Why do you think 2025 will be more favourable?

Back then, there was strong anti-incumbency against the UDF government. Today, the anti-incumbency is against the LDF. And more importantly, the UDF is now united like never before.

The LDF is trying to spread a narrative—that the Aryadan family doesn’t share a good relationship with the Panakkad family or the Muslim League. They’re hoping this will affect the election outcome.

They’re attempting to shift the focus away from Kerala’s current state of misery. Even in Nilambur, there has been no meaningful development. People are suffering. So their tactic is to keep throwing distractions into the conversation and hope we respond. But we’re keeping the focus on the real issue: the LDF’s nine-year rule—a period marked by widespread distress.

What about former Nilambur MLA P.V. Anvar? Some of his attacks on you seem personal. Is there a personal issue between you two?

I don’t see it that way. He may be trying to make it personal, but that’s for him to explain. I’ve never made any personal remarks about him—neither to you nor anyone else. The values my father instilled in me—our political culture—don’t allow for personal attacks. Especially not during an election. We talk about issues and principles, not personalities. That’s the kind of politics I follow.

What is your relationship with the Panakkad family like now?

Very strong. We launched our campaign from Panakkad, from Kudappanakkunnu—their ancestral home. They gave us their blessings. We had lunch there before setting out. My campaign was inaugurated by the district president of the Muslim League.

Beyond the human-wildlife conflict, what are the major promises you’re making to the people?

I make just one promise to the people: I will stand with the people of this region, as one among them, to solve their problems.