In Nilambur, Shoukath is their Baputty

Kozhikode: Karakkode, a quiet village near Vazhikkadavu on the Kerala-TN border, is unusually lively in the morning. Dozens of cars with number plates from various districts—mostly ferrying UDF leaders and MLAs—arrived, filling the small village where UDF is campaigning for its candidate Aryadan Shoukath.Shoukath is called by his full name only in announcements and posters. For everyone else, the 59-year-old son of eight-time MLA Aryadan Mohammed is simply Baputty. His campaign is built around that legacy and the strong emotional bond with voters.IUML state secretary PMA Salam made that clear in his opening speech at Karakkode. "In Puthuppally, we saw our dear leader Oommen Chandy's son Chandy Oommen win with a five-fold majority. Now it's our turn to elect our dear Kunhakka's (Mohammed's) son Baputty with a bigger margin," he said.The campaign vehicles tell their own story. At the centre is a black-and-white photo of Aryadan Mohammed, surrounded by images of UDF stalwarts like Karunakaran, Oommen Chandy, Panakkad Mohammedali Shihab Thangal and Hyderali Shihab Thangal—reminders of the days when Nilambur was a UDF bastion.Shoukath joined the campaign midway. This is his home ground—he grew up in a nearby village. As he moved through the crowd, he didn't shake hands. Instead, he put his arms around people's shoulders and whispered in their ears, showing the same personal touch his father was known for.At Paradise Hotel, a small eatery in the village, Shoukath saw Narayanan and his wife, an elderly couple having breakfast. "I don't need to say anything, right? You know I'll always be with you," he told them. Narayanan smiled and said, "I even knew your grandfather." When the woman mentioned some financial trouble, Shoukath quietly signalled a local Congress worker to take care of it.He then walked into the kitchen, where a group of women were cutting chicken and sought their support. He asked for some tea and the shop owner promised it would be delivered to the meeting venue without fail.On stage, Shoukath kept his speech short and spoke from the heart. "I have a deep emotional connection to this place. I studied here in classes one and two. The ward member who just welcomed me is my Saraswathi chechi. Her relative, Kali chechi, has a son named Raman—my best friend. Once, while we were playing in the river, Kali chechi mistook me for Raman and hit me on the head. I have so many memories here," he said with a smile."Back then, there was no road from Vazhikkadavu to Puthirippadam—only a narrow path through the fields. I'm not making tall promises. I can't leave this place after giving false promises. For the past nine years, we were neglected. We must complete the projects UDF started. Let's work together for a Nalla Nilambur. I will stand by you as a brother," he said.Shoukath then boarded an open truck to reach the next reception venue. When asked about his habit of putting an arm around people while seeking votes, he said, "That's how my father was. That's what he taught me, and people let me do that." At Koramkunnu, he told the crowd, "You stood with my father for 40 years. Together, we built this place—roads, lights, water. But since 2016, we've been forgotten. I don't just need your votes, I need your prayers."His next stop was Vellakatta, where 15-year-old Anandu was killed after stepping on a live wire trap set for wild boars. Shoukath directly addressed the crowd's anger. Forest minister AK Saseendran had hinted at a conspiracy, but Shoukath didn't hold back. "That's an insult to Nilambur. We've faced wild elephant attacks before, but back then we had leaders who found solutions. Now, no one listens to us," he said.He ended with a simple message: "This land meant everything to my father. And it means everything to me too."