IUML candidate PK Kunhalikutty wins Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll

Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) candidate PK Kunhalikutty won the Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll with a massive margin of 1.7 lakh votes. He defeated his rival and youth leader MB Faisal of CPI (M). The BJP candidate, N Sreeprakash, emerged third in the battle.

Senior congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor termed the victory as a message to the communal forces in the state.

He tweeted, “Communist candidate concedes defeat in Malappuram by-election, says @udfkerala victory sends a clear message from Kerala to communal forces.”

Communist candidate concedes defeat in Malappuram by-election, says @udfkerala victory sends a clear message from Kerala to communal forces

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 17, 2017

The senior Congress leader congratulated PK Kunhalikutty on his victory, dubbing him it as an asset in the Lok Sabha.   

Congratulations to @PKKunhalikutty for whom it was a real pleasure to campaign. A popular leader, experienced&capable. Will be an asset inLS https://t.co/eDcVjyKI9j

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) April 17, 2017