Nilambur Assembly bypoll: 59.68 pc voter turnout recorded till 3 pm
The polling, conducted under tight security arrangements, is part of the AC-Bye Election 2025.
Polling in Kerala's Nilambur started today 7 am.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has fielded M Swaraj, the United Democratic Front (UDF) has fielded Aryadan Shoukath, while the BJP has fielded Adv. Mohan George is a candidate for the Nilambur Assembly constituency.
United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate Aryadan Shoukhath expressed confidence in a UDF victory for the constituency, saying that the state government has 'totally neglected Nilambur area,' with tribals not being rehabilitated and human-animal conflict increasing.
Earlier, Kerala LoP and Congress MLA VD Satheesan also said that a UDF victory would mark the party's return to the state.
Speaking to ANI, Satheesan said, 'This is a political contest, a direct fight between the UDF and the LDF. It is the semi-final leading up to the 2026 Assembly elections, and we are confident of winning by a significant margin. We see this as an opportunity to hold the Pinarayi government accountable, a government that has been in power for the past nine years.'
The bypoll has been necessitated after the resignation of Left Democratic Front independent legislator PV Anvar, who later joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) after his acrimonious break-up with the ruling alliance. (ANI)
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
153 countries importing toys from India: Piyush Goyal
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): India's toy industry, once heavily dependent on imports, is now manufacturing domestically and exporting to 153 countries, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal addressing the 16th Toy Biz International B2B Expo 2025 on Friday said as he highlighted this remarkable transformation. He said that this shift has been made possible through consistent policy support, the enforcement of quality standards, and the strengthening of local manufacturing clusters. The implementation of the Quality Control Order (QCO), he added, has helped make India a quality-conscious country and enabled domestic toy manufacturers to meet global benchmarks. The Minister stated that India's population of 1.4 billion offers a vast captive market, which creates a natural advantage for scaling up manufacturing. With this scale, the industry can achieve cost efficiency and become globally competitive. The large domestic market, he said, not only supports expansion but also acts as a foundation for international growth. To capture the global market, Goyal stressed the need for the industry to focus on good branding, attractive packaging, and strong product design. He said that if these three aspects are prioritised, Indian toys can gain stronger appeal across international markets. The growth of the toy industry, Goyal noted, reflects the broader journey of development in the country. He recalled that when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Vocal for Local initiative, it was met with skepticism by many, as foreign products dominated consumer preference. However, under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the belief that Local can go Global, awareness and support for home-grown industries have steadily increased. Goyal stated that startups developing innovative toy concepts have received significant support through the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, which has now been extended to 20 years. This, he said, has provided access to collateral-free loans for small businesses. He further informed that to promote domestic production, 18 toy clusters across the country have been supported by the Ministry of MSME. To build on this progress, the Minister said that the government is planning to introduce a new promotional scheme for the toy sector. The scheme, he explained, will aim to help Indian toy manufacturers become world-class by enhancing design capabilities, ensuring quality manufacturing, strengthening packaging, and supporting brand building. With sustained focus on innovation, quality, and market development, Goyal expressed confidence that India's toy industry is poised to become a key player in the global market. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
Over 20,000 devotees conclude pilgrimage to Amarnath: J-K LG Manoj Sinha
Ganderbal (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday said that over 20,000 devotees coming from different parts of the country have already finished their pilgrimage to Amarnath in the Ganderbal district. He said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming the devotees with 'open hearts'. LG Sinha apprised the reporters about the efforts of the Jammu and Kashmir administration and the Shrine Board in expanding their services for devotees. 'More than 20,000 devotees had 'darshan' of Baba Amarnath so far. They are coming from different parts of the country. The people of Jammu and Kashmir are welcoming them with an open heart. J-K administration, the government and the Shrine board have expanded their services to the people, and ONGC, under their CSR initiative, has built Yatri Niwas to help the devotees,' Sinha told reporters here. LG Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board Yatri Niwas in Baltal, Ganderbal district, and flagged off around 6,000 devotees for the Amarnath Yatra, marking the beginning of the pilgrimage. 'For the past two days, an unprecedented spiritual celebration has begun in Jammu and Kashmir. With the start of the Baba Amarnath Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing a new energy...A huge crowd of devotees from across the country and abroad has thronged for this pilgrimage. On the morning of July 2, I had the privilege of flagging off around 6,000 devotees... I feel blessed to dedicate this pilgrim accommodation to the devotees of Baba,' Sinha said while addressing the gathering here. He also inaugurated the Disaster Management Complex at Baltal. On Wednesday, Sinha paid obeisance at Daati Maa Dev Sthan in the border village of Changiya, in the Arnia area of the Jammu region. Upon his visit, LG Sinha reiterated the Government of India's commitment to the inclusive development of the border area. 'The sacred Daati Maa Dev Sthan will be brought to the religious tourism map,' the LG said, adding, 'I also pray to Mata Daati for a safe and smooth pilgrimage for all the devotees of Shri Amarnath Ji.' This came after he flagged off the first batch of pilgrims for the Shri Amarnath Yatra from Jammu, amidst multi-tier security. J-K LG Manoj Sinha lauded the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board for making excellent facilities for the Yatra. 'Jammu and Kashmir Police and security forces have also maintained tight security. Devotees from all over the country are here. The enthusiasm is very high. The devotees of Bholenath have neglected all the terror attacks and have reached in huge numbers. I am hopeful that this year's Yatra would be even better than the previous ones,' he said. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
"Dalai Lama has full right to declare his successor": Ajmer Dargah head Hazrat Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin
New Delhi [India], July 4 (ANI): The spiritual head of Ajmer Dargah, Hazrat Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Sahab, on Friday said that the Dalai Lama has the 'full and unquestionable right' to declare his successor, according to an official release issued on the occasion of the 90th birthday of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. On the auspicious occasion, Hazrat Dewan Syed Zainul Abedin Sahab extended heartfelt greetings and conveyed his blessings for the long life and continued good health of the revered Tibetan spiritual leader. As per the release, Hazrat Dewan Sahab said, 'Dalai Lama is a purely religious and divine personality whose guidance has brought peace and spiritual strength to millions across the world. As a spiritual leader, he has the full and unquestionable right to declare his successor.' Expressing deep concern over recent controversies surrounding the succession of the Dalai Lama, he emphasised that this is a matter of faith for millions of followers globally and must not be politicised. 'China or any other political authority should refrain from interfering or diverting this purely religious matter for political interests,' he added. The release further stated that the Ajmer Dargah head praised the Dalai Lama for his lifelong message of compassion, non-violence, and interfaith harmony, and called upon global religious and spiritual communities to support the Tibetan people's right to preserve their spiritual traditions. His remarks come in the backdrop of China's ongoing attempts to assert control over Tibetan Buddhist practices, particularly the reincarnation process of high-ranking lamas such as the Dalai Lama--a matter that the Ajmer Dargah head believes should remain purely spiritual and free from political interference. Over a lifetime in exile, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has become synonymous with Tibet and its quest for genuine autonomy under Beijing's tightening grip on the Himalayan region. From his adopted hometown of Dharamshala, where he established a government-in-exile, the spiritual leader has unified Tibetans at home and in exile and elevated their plight onto the global stage. Dalai Lama emphasized that the process will be guided by centuries-old religious traditions and in consultation with senior Tibetan Buddhist leaders and spiritual protectors and rejected China's claims of authority over the reincarnation process, stating that no one else has the right to interfere in this matter. In a statement on Wednesday, Dalai Lama stated, 'The process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognized has been clearly established in the 24 September 2011 statement which states that responsibility for doing so will rest exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition.' 'I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,' he added. The Dalai Lama noted that he had not made any public statements on the issue over the past 14 years. However, leaders of Tibet's spiritual traditions have written to him with reasons, earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue. 'Although I have had no public discussions on this issue, over the last 14 years leaders of Tibet's spiritual traditions, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, participants in a Special General Body Meeting, members of the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, Buddhists from the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation and Buddhists in Asia including mainland China, have written to me with reasons, earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue. In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal. In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,' he said. (ANI)
