Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Panakkad Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal announced on Sunday that the party would support the decision made by the Congress regarding its chief ministerial candidate, a day before the counting of votes for the Kerala assembly elections held on April 9.
Thangal stated, “We do not have any particular opinion on the chief ministerial candidate. We will stand by the decision taken by the Congress high command. That has been the precedent. Everybody expects a UDF wave. All exit polls predict a UDF victory. We believe so, too,” when addressing reporters in Malappuram.
The IUML is a significant part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which exit polls indicate may replace the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after a decade in power.
Thangal’s comments followed remarks from senior IUML leader MK Muneer, who emphasized that the decision on the chief ministerial candidate would ultimately rest with the Congress high command. “The leadership decision has to be made by their (Congress’) high command. The UDF has full confidence that the final decision will be unanimous and accepted by all constituents. Congress has capable leadership and a decision could be taken without delay after the election results are announced,” Muneer told reporters in Kochi on Saturday.
Leading candidates for the chief minister’s position include Congress General Secretary (Organization) KC Venugopal, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala. Venugopal serves as a Lok Sabha MP, while Satheesan and Chennithala have contested significant assembly seats in Kerala.
