Kozhikode /Malappuram: Former BJP state president K Surendran on May 11 alleged that the Congress high command was delaying the announcement of Kerala’s next Chief Minister out of fear of the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Indian Union Muslim League. Surendran made the remarks in a Facebook post, claiming that the ongoing uncertainty within the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) was being driven by pressure from Muslim organisations.
According to Surendran, despite the Congress having 66 members of its own in the Assembly, including 63 MLAs and three independents, the party leadership was still hesitant to announce the Chief Ministerial candidate. He said the answer behind the delay was “very simple” and blamed Jamaat-e-Islami and the Muslim League for creating the present political situation.
Surendran further remarked that whoever is eventually declared Chief Minister would first land at Karipur airport and then visit Panakkad Tharavat, the residence of the spiritual leadership of the Muslim League. Referring to the political influence of the League leadership, he alleged that the “secular majority” that voted in the election and the “stepmother minority” would experience the consequences over the next five years.
“Despite having 66 members of its own, including 63 MLAs and three independents, who is the Congress high command afraid of announcing as the Chief Minister? The answer is very simple, Jamaat-e-Islami and the Muslim League. Anyone with common sense will understand that they are the ones creating all this commotion. Whoever is announced as the Chief Minister, it is certain that the dignitary will land at Karipur airport and make the first visit to Panakkad family,” Surendran said.
Muslim League pushes for deputy CM post
Meanwhile, the Muslim League is preparing to demand six ministerial berths in the new UDF government, including the posts of Deputy Chief Minister and Deputy Speaker. The party is expected to formally submit its list of ministerial demands during the first UDF meeting to be held after the Chief Minister’s announcement. League leaders believe that placing their demands early will increase pressure on the Congress leadership during government formation.
Discussions on the allocation of ministerial portfolios were held in a series of internal League meetings over the past few days, and an understanding on potential candidates has reportedly already been reached. No leader other than PK Kunjalikutty is being considered for the Deputy Chief Minister’s post. Kunjalikutty, who contested from Vengara constituency in Malappuram district, secured victory with a record majority of 85,327 votes. During the election campaign, League leaders had reportedly urged workers in local meetings to maximise the victory margin in the constituency.
League finalises ministerial considerations
At a meeting held in Panakkad recently, senior League leaders discussed the possible composition of the party’s ministerial team. During the discussions, there was also a demand that MLAs from districts outside Malappuram should receive representation in the cabinet. In the 2011 ministry led by Oommen Chandy, all five Muslim League ministers were from Malappuram district. This time, however, the League has secured 22 MLAs across multiple districts, 12 from Malappuram, six from Kozhikode, two from Kasaragod, one from Palakkad and one from Ernakulam. Out of the 22 legislators, 10 are new faces.
Among those who have reportedly secured ministerial consideration are P.K. Kunjalikutty, P.K. Basheer, N. Shamsuddin and K.M. Shahji. Although Shahji won from Vengara in Malappuram, he is likely to be included in the cabinet as a representative from Kozhikode. N. Shamsuddin, who won from Mannarkkad constituency in Palakkad district, is also under active consideration. Fatima Tahliya, the only woman MLA in the League who won from Perambra in Kannur district, may also be considered for a cabinet berth. Meanwhile, Manjalamkuzhi Ali, who served as the fifth minister from the League in the previous UDF government, is being considered for the post of Deputy Speaker.
