LS elections 2019: Indian Union Muslim League cautions Congress on Wayanad
Of the seven assembly segments in the constituency, three each belong to Malappuram and Wayanad districts and one to Kozhikode.
Malappuram: As the buzz over Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad foray continues, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Saturday conveyed to the Congress high command their anguish over the delay in naming the candidate for the constituency.
The IUML top leaders met at the residence of party state president Sayyid Hyderali Shihab Thangal at Panakkad to discuss the issue amid concerns of the procrastination affecting the UDF election campaign.
Of the seven assembly segments in the constituency, three each belong to Malappuram and Wayanad districts and one to Kozhikode. So it is a cause for worry for all the three district committees of the UDF.
The IUML believes the presence of Mr Gandhi in the electoral scene of Kerala would make their task more relaxed in the region, as it would electrify the UDF across the state.
“The state president has shared our concerns over the delay in naming the Wayanad candidate, and we are expecting an immediate decision,” general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty, the UDF candidate in Malappuram, told reporters after the meeting.
“The absence of UDF candidate in Wayanad may affect the campaign in other constituencies. So the Congress should take a decision now.”
He said it was up to the Congress party to field Mr Gandhi or not from Wayanad. In both cases, the IUML needed an immediate decision.
The IUML is expecting a wave in UDF’s favour especially in Ponnani, where they face a fierce battle this time if Mr Gandhi contests from the neighbouring Wayanad. The Thangal called the meeting, attended by top leaders of the party, as the displeasure started brewing within the party, particularly the Wayanad district committee. The IUML has a significant vote in the Wayanad constituency which includes Ernad, Wandoor and Nilambur assembly segments in Malappuram district.
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