IUML Insistent For Third Seat In Kerala As Bilateral Talk With Congress Continues (Photo on Facebook Muslim League Kerala)

Amid reports that the Congress may not be giving a third seat to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the party’s biggest ally in Kerala, several leaders in the Muslim League recently became more vocal about their long-standing demand for an additional seat for the Lok sabha. Out of the 20 seats in the state, the party has been contesting two seats for decades, securing victory consecutively. Ahead of the seat-sharing discussion today, the Muslim League had asserted that they would not step back from their demand for a third seat.

Yesterday, the IUML state secretary PMA Salam said that the party has hope that the Congress would recognise their demand for a third seat in the United Democratic Front (UDF) meeting scheduled today (Sunday). Regarding speculations about the Rajya Sabha seat, the IUML leader said that it has not asked for a Rajya Sabha seat.

Today, shortly before the seat-sharing discussion between Congress and IUML began, the Muslim League veteran leader ET Muhammed Basheer signalled that the party is adamant about its demand for a third seat. The Muslim League MP also expressed confidence in a favourable decision in the bilateral seat-sharing meeting with Congress.

KPCC president K Sudhakaran, opposition leader V. D. Satheesan, UDF convenor MM Hassan, deputy opposition leader and IUML national secretary P K Kunhalikutty, Muslim League MP ET Muhammed Basheer, State secretary PMA Salam, will be attending the meeting, as per reports from the local media house, Malayala Manorama.

Given the Muslim League’s successful track record in the existing constituencies, the party seeks additional seat in the Malabar region of the state where it has significant influence. The party expects its third seat either in Wayanad or Kozhikode as the party have an adequate workers there.

The party has reached out to every section of the people in the region and is hopeful of a good performance in the areas. It is also to be noted that considering the political clutches of the Muslim League in the region, several state Congress leaders have in the past admitted that the League has every right to claim a third seat.

Meanwhile, the IUML Tamil Nadu unit yesterday finalised its seat-sharing talk with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). DMK leader and Tamil Nadu chief minister allotted one seat to the Muslim League. Tamil Nadu IUML State Secretary Muhammed Abubacker announced that Navas Kani, who secured victory in the previous general election would be the party”s candidate for the second time in the upcoming general election. The party has been alloted Ramanathapuram constituency, from where Navas Kani won the 2019 Lok Sabha election.