Malappuram: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has embarked on a mission to make its presence felt in the upcoming local body elections in Jharkhand. The party has fielded mayor and deputy mayor candidates in Ranchi, Godda, Ramgarh and Giridh municipal corporations besides chairman candidates in three municipalities for the election slated to be held on April 16. The party led by national organising secretary E.T. Muhammed Basheer and his associates from Kerala had been conducting charity works in the BJP-ruled state for the last several years.
The IUML is making an electoral foray there hoping to cash in on these efforts.“We are hoping for a wave at pockets with concentration of minorities and dalits. By this election, we will get a picture of our support base in the state,” Mr Basheer told DC. The party has made inroads into various places, especially in the capital Ranchi and Giridh district by working among the backward communities. The IUML has taken up Kerala-model free housing project named Baithurahma in Jharkhand. “The party has managed to bring the dalit and Muslim communities under its umbrella and we have been building up on this fraternity,” Mr Basheer said. The results will be declared on April 20.
