The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) which nominated its strongman P.K. Kunhalikutty as the party’s candidate for the Malappuram Lok Sabha byelection has left the question of his successor as leader of the legislature party wide open.
The party had no hesitation in fielding Mr. Kunhalikutty, who happens to be the best bet to win the election with the kind of majority that the party has in mind to emphasise its strong presence in Muslim politics. The party leadership did not heed to the suggestions of some UDF leaders to retain Mr. Kunhalikutty in State politics.
It preferred to give priority to its ambitions to break into national politics by highlighting the benefits reaped by the Muslim community in Kerala by being a participant in governance. The late E. Ahamed had already given the party the big break when he was taken in as a Minister of State in the Manmohan Singh Cabinet. For over a decade, the IUML remained a steadfast partner of the UPA with a status that matched the cordial ties the party had with the Congress in the State.
While announcing the decision to field Mr. Kunhalikutty for the byelection, Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal said Mr. Kunhalikutty would continue to lend his services to State politics even after his debut in national politics. The statement appeared to be more of soothing words, rather than one with any political import.
Mr. Thangal seemed to have left open the question of Mr. Kunhalikutty’s successor as IUML legislature party leader. It is the legislature party leader who would be responsible for the day-to-day liasoning with coalition partners, particularly the Congress. The successor would be decided only after the byelection in the Vengara Assembly constituency, which would be vacated by Mr. Kunhalikutty soon. There are several candidates who could get the ticket to Thiruvananthapuram, with the most prominent name being mentioned is that of K.P.A. Majeed.
It remains to be seen whether there would be a tussle for Mr. Kunhalikutty’s successor within the party.
