Indian Union Mulsim League (IUML) organising secretary E.T. Mohammed Basheer, MP, has sought the resignation of Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran for making what he termed as a ‘dangerous statement’ branding Malappuram district as communal.
Mr. Basheer told mediapersons here on Wednesday that the Minister had breached the oath of secrecy and hence should not continue in office. Mr. Surendran had ridiculed the voters after his party's humiliating defeat in the Malappuram Lok Sabha bypoll. How could a person who claimed to be communist make such a weird statement, Mr. Basheer asked.
However Mr. Surendran clarified that his statement had been taken out of context while analysing the defeat of the party in the byelection. The consolidation of minority votes was be high in the Malappuram bypoll and that the constituency was a stronghold of the IUML. That party had indulged in a campaign for that consolidation. But not all sections of the community would have voted for the IUML, he said.
The Minister also clarified that the Left Democratic Front had several legislators from Malappuram district. Besides, the coalition had increased its vote share when compared to the previous election.
Regarding the allegations that he insulted the late E. Ahamed, he said that even the IUML had objected to his candidature in the 2014 general elections. In spite of his health condition, Ahamed had secured a huge margin in the elections which P.K. Kunhalikutty could not secure, he added.
