The Hindu : IUML backs official Cong. candidates

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 07, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

IUML backs official Cong. candidates

By Girish Menon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM April 6. In a major development that is sure to have a bearing on the current impasse in the Congress over the Rajya Sabha seats, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) today openly backed the official candidates nominated by the AICC president, Sonia Gandhi.

``The IUML's official ties are with the Indian National Congress led by Mrs. Sonia Gandhi,'' the IUML all-India general secretary, E. Ahmed, told The Hindu today.

Responding to a question, Mr. Ahmed said there was nothing new in the IUML's stance as it has always been based on its equation with the national leadership of the Congress.

No circumstance prevails in Kerala that warrants the IUML to change its position. ``We have no special consideration for any leader. The Congress was given the two Rajya Sabha seats. And we view the current dispute over nominations as the party's internal problem.''

The IUML has in fact made it clear that it was not willing to jettison its cosy relations with Mrs. Gandhi and spoil its chances of making a big break in national Muslim politics.

The party also does not want any element of instability in the existing coalition set-up.

These two factors account for the strong and unambiguous stand the party has taken on the current imbroglio.

The IUML's position is a shot in the arm for the Kerala Chief Minister, A.K. Antony. It could signal a partial end to any attempts to mobilise UDF partners in disturbing the Chief Minister.

Even though the IUML did not state it in as many words, Mr. Ahmed's statement was sufficient indication that the IUML does not propose to don the role of a mediator as it has done at several crucial moments when Congress factionalism threatened to spoil matters for the UDF.

Meanwhile, in the Congress, the impasse over the Rajya Sabha seats continued.

The party leaders appear to be in no hurry to resolve the deadlock by 4 p.m. Monday when withdrawal of nomination papers concludes.

The leaders on both sides would not mind continuing the battle of nerves well into the penultimate day of voting. K. Karunakaran and K. Muraleedharan are expected to be in Delhi by then.

The AICC general secretary, Vayalar Ravi, called on the IUML supremo, Panakkad Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, today.

Mr. Antony urged Kodoth Govindan Nair, Mr. Karunakaran's nominee, to withdraw from the contest in favour of the official nominees, Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai.

He said the AICC general secretary, Ambika Soni, had contacted him, but refused to divulge the details of the talks. Mr. Karunakaran on Saturday called up Motilal Vohra, who advised him to accept the decision of the Congress president.

If a compromise does not emerge by April 13, the outer most time limit before polling on April 14, the UDF partners would have to issue a separate whip to their members to vote in the RS seat.

According to informed sources, it would not be enough for the UDF Parliamentary Affairs Minister to issue a whip as per the Anti-Defection Law.

Mr. Karunakaran spent the entire day with senior leaders owing allegiance to him discussing the pros and cons of the strategy to be adopted.

In the event of a contest, the number game would become important. At present there are 140 MLAs and four candidates.

This means that each of the candidates would have to secure 36 votes each under the preferential voting system.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

Stories in this Section

IUML backs official Cong. candidates

Minister's plea to Vajpayee

Kollam Pooram on April 16

War, SARS bring in more liners to Kochi

Oppn. to take up Iraq issue again

Claim on HIV negative status for child contested