The Congress and IUML have been fighting each other in 20 local bodies in Malappuram. The fight has been traditional and with each local body elections, it has become vicious. The issue crops up on the eve of each local body elections, threatening to upset the coalition as a whole and this time also, it is no different. In some of the panchayats, the coalition has taken weird forms with the IUML joining with the CPI(M) to defeat the Congress. In some of the panchayats, the Congress has managed to gain control on its own, and vice versa with the IUML. There have been several times in the past when the IUML flexed its muscles, but the Congress leaders in the district refused to budge. Whatever truce, it hardly lasted for long, sources said.
The UDF high-power committee meeting on September 22 had decided to call the district leaders of Malappuram and Idukki, another centre for political tremors, for discussions in order to settle issues ahead of elections.
The district leaders are expected join the State leaders in Kochi on October 6 and agree to a formula of settlement that would enable the senior leaders to remove irritants on the road to unity.
The UDF high-power committee meeting on September 22 had decided to call a meeting of district leaders of Malappuram and Idukki for discussions.
