The State working committee and council, the two decision-making arms of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), will ensure a smooth leadership transition at its meeting to be held at Malappuram on Friday.
The first meeting of the State council and working committee, after the passing away of party’s leader Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal here recently, will ratify the naming of Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal as the State president of the party, succeeding Shihab Thangal. He was Kazi to more than 300 ‘mahals’ in the State.
Mr. Hyderali Thangal, the younger brother of Shihab Thangal, was named as temporary State president by the party secretariat on August 3. Till then, he was the district president of the IUML’s Malappuram unit.
Union Minister of State for Railways E. Ahmed had confirmed Mr. Hyderali Thangal’s appointment at a press conference here recently. Mr. Ahmed had then termed it the ‘best choice.’
According to IUML sources, the new president would enjoy all the privileges enjoyed by Shihab Thangal.
There are no two opinions in the party that the death of Shihab Thangal would remain a big loss given the power that he exercised over the rank and file of the party, sources said.
He had a sobering effect on the coalition politics of the State as well. The party leaders’ attempt will be to empower the new president to the level that he becomes capable of preventing any possible succession tussle in the future to the political and spiritual space left by Shihab Thangal.
Keywords: IUML, Malappuram, coalition politics
