A Case For Advocate Faisal Babu For League's Rajya Sabha Seat
The discussions on the Rajya Sabha candidate for the lone seat the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has been offered have heated up with the introduction of Advocate Haris Beeran as a new contender. According to sources, there are mainly two oppositions in this matter that the Kerala IUML leadership is currently facing.
One, from the national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty, who has been vying for the seat to be given to state general secretary PMA Salam. The discussions were earlier concentrated on Mr. Salam, as a compromise candidate to pacify the E K faction of the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (Samastha), the Kerala-based Sunni Muslim group whose cadres are closely associated with the party. Mr. Salam’s criticism of Samastha had earlier created a rift between Samastha and the Muslim League, and the former had asked for the removal of the state general secretary from the post.
During the Lok Sabha elections, the relationship between the Muslim League and Samastha had deteriorated due to this. The League leadership’s deliberations to propose Mr. Salam for the Rajya Sabha seat emerged in this scenario, and it was also in discussion to replace him with either Abid Hussain Thangal, K M Shaji, or N Samsudheen in the state general secretary post.
Two, the opposition from the state Youth League, the youth wing of the party. They have been demanding representation in the Parliament for a long time and this demand was put forward to the leadership recently during the Lok Sabha elections. However, the party opted for ET Mohammed Basheer and Abdussamad Samadani in the end, and they both won from Malappuram and Ponnani eventually. But, according to reports, Youth League leaders had received an assurance then that the state leadership would consider this demand during the Rajya Sabha elections.
The entry of Haris Beeran into the fray has, reportedly, infuriated the Youth League cadre, as their chance seems minimal since the Delhi-based lawyer and KMCC leader enjoys the support of state president Sadiqali Shihab Thangal.
A Case for Advocate Faisal Babu
Belonging to Tirur in Malappuram, Youth League’s national general secretary Advocate Faisal Babu has upped the game of political activism in North India for IUML’s youth wing in recent years. A multi-lingual orator with good following among the party cadre, Advocate Babu’s was one name proposed by the state youth wing’s leadership for the Rajya Sabha seat in the past, the other one being PK Firose, the state general secretary – a regular face of IUML in primetime debates in Kerala.
One argument brought in by the party workers, especially the cadre from its youth wing, is that Advocate Babu has risen in the party ranks as an activist and his connection with the masses. According to them, the resurgence of Youth League as a force in street protests in recent past is spearheaded by him.
“He was at the forefront of many protests and legal fights in recent years. He is accepted by the youth and respected by them for his aggressive political activism. This, along with his oratory skills, may give the party another Saketh Gokhale or Raghav Chadha or Sanjay Singh in the Rajya Sabha,” a party insider said while pitching for Faisal Babu.
Another Youth League activist believes that this is the only opportunity for the young guns in the party to perform in national politics.
“His performance card is in front of everyone. At this time, especially when anti-Muslim rhetoric and politics are refusing to die down, we need a fighter like Advocate Faisal Babu in the Parliament,” another party activist said.
As per sources, the official discussions on the candidate started on Friday and a name is expected in two to three days.
