The National Secular Conference (NSC) led by P.T.A. Rahim, MLA, who won with the support of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), has merged with the Indian National League (INL) which was recently inducted into the CPI(M)-led ruling coalition.
The unification, initiated by the INL, a faction that broke away from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in 1994, is expected to boost the electoral ratings of the LDF in the State ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. A public rally in connection with the merger will be held in Kozhikode on March 30, INL president A.P. Abdul Wahab and Mr. Rahim told journalists here on Wednesday.
The merger was facilitated after the long-awaited entry of the INL into the the LDF fold. ‘‘Both are like-minded parties in terms of ideology. So there is no need for us to function as two political entities. The issue has been discussed with the LDF leadership,’’ Mr. Wahab said, adding that the party would stake claim for a Lok Sabha seat though seat- sharing exercise will begin after the conclusion of the LDF rallies on March 2.
Mr. Rahim, a former district secretary of the IUML, who had left the party almost a decade ago, said that several legislators who won with the support of the LDF in the 2016 Assembly elections such as Karat Razak, P.V. Anvar, K.T. Jaleel and V. Abdurahiman had wholeheartedly supported the merger.
‘‘Modalities on the functioning of the party and the reconstitution of office-bearers would be discussed soon. Besides, a decision on including legislators had to taken after consultations with the Assembly Speaker,’’ he said.
Replying to questions, Mr. Rahim, who holds considerable sway among the Muslim community in Koduvally and Kunnamangalam Assembly segments, from where he had won in the 2006 and 2011 polls as an Independent with LDF support, said the LDF had never put any pre-condition before the merger. “The unification will strengthen the LDF which is the need of the hour and that does not mean will result in modification of our opinions on religious faith and community interests,” he said.
He pointed out that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was holding one on one talks with Samasta leaders on various issues pertaining to the Muslim community rather than seeking the intervention of political parties such as IUML.