Thiruvananthapuram: In a late but crucial development, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Advocate Mohan George as its candidate for the scheduled Nilambur by-election in Kerala.
George, a seasoned politician and former state secretary of the Kerala Congress, brings both legal expertise and grassroots political experience to the contest.
George's entry into the fray comes shortly after the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) named CPI(M) youth leader M. Swaraj as its nominee, and the United Democratic Front (UDF) finalised Congress leader Aryadan Shoukath as its candidate.
The BJP's decision comes amid internal discussions and earlier ambiguity.
State party president Rajeev Chandrasekhar had recently indicated that the BJP might refrain from contesting the by-poll, a remark that attracted criticism from within party circles, IANS reported.
However, in a strategic reversal, the party declared its candidate just a day before the nomination deadline, signalling a renewed resolve to establish a stronger presence in the politically significant Nilambur segment.
Meanwhile, UDF candidate Aryadan Shoukath formally submitted his nomination papers at the Nilambur Taluk Office on Saturday.
He was accompanied by senior coalition leaders, including KPCC Working President A.P. Anil Kumar and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Rajya Sabha MP Abdul Wahab, underscoring the importance the alliance is attaching to this seat.
Former Nilambur MLA and Trinamool Congress state convenor P. V. Anvar has also joined the electoral race. Though he had initially cited financial constraints and ruled himself out, Anvar has since obtained a non-liability certificate from the Kerala Legislative Assembly, indicating that he may still enter the contest as an independent or Trinamool Congress-backed candidate.
The Nilambur by-election, scheduled for June 19, is shaping up to be a high-stakes multi-cornered fight.
The last date for filing nominations is June 2, and the results will be declared on June 23.
The by-poll was necessitated following the resignation of the sitting MLA, and all major political formations are treating this as an opportunity to test the electoral waters after the Lok Sabha elections.
With heavyweights now in the ring, Nilambur is set to witness a closely watched and fiercely fought political battle.