Nilambur bypoll in Kerala: CPI(M) nominates M. Swaraj as LDF candidate

CPI(M) nominates M. Swaraj as LDF candidate in Nilambur by-election, highlighting divisions within UDF and Congress.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State secretariat in Kerala has nominated M. Swaraj as the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) candidate in the Nilambur Assembly byelection. 

CPI(M) State secretary M. V. Govindan told a press conference here on Friday that Mr. Swaraj, a party State secretariat member, was a native of Nilambur with profound grassroots-level connections.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate Mr Swaraj’s election convention in Nilambur on June 1. Other LDF leaders will attend. 

Mr Govindan termed P.V. Anvar, former LDF Independent legislator from Nilambur, a spent force. “Mr Anvar betrayed the trust of Nilambur voters and switched sides to align himself with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). His presence or absence in the electoral fray has no bearing on the LDF’s prospects”, Mr Govindan said. 

Mr Govindan termed Mr Anvar’s “flailing attempts” to find a safe harbour in the UDF “pathetic”. 

He said the UDF was bitterly divided over whether the alliance should provide Mr Anvar with honourable accommodation or tag him as a hanger-on and fellow traveller. 

Mr Govindan said Mr Anvar had accused the UDF leadership of scorning his advances despite “falling to his knees in supplication”.