By Shafeeq Hudawi
Kozhikode: Despite the debacle faced by the ruling front in the Kerala assembly elections, their key allay, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), managed to do well at the Kerala elections, with 18 seats.
Although this is two less than their last election’s haul and the party suffered setbacks in a few of its strongholds the IUML did well to post some impressive wins in the Malabar region. Also, when compared to Congress, IUML’s haul was only four less.
The party, which contested in 24 seats, saw defeats in party strongholds such as Koduvally, Tanur and Thiruvambadi have been compensated by wresting the Kuttiadi seat from CPM and a hard fought victory in Azhikode, where K M Shaji defeated CPIM’s Nikesh Kumar in a neck to neck fight.
” IUML Leaders addressing the media after the results The party also retained the Mannarkkad seat despite open calls by the the All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar citing IUML candidate Shamsudheen was taking anti-Sunni stances.
“The winning of Shaji and Shamsudheen assumes much significance as the duo survived strong campaigns from the rivals,” IUML national secretary E T Mohammed Basheer told Twocircles.
The party also won Kasargod, Kozhikode South, Kondotty, Manjeri, Vallikkunnu, Vengara, Tirur, Kottakkal and Kalamassery seats.
” IUML leader P K Kunhalikkutty with workers after winning Vengara constituency IUML has survived the anti-incumbency factor as well as strong undercurrents in Malappuram to win 11 of the 12 sitting seats in the district. Although IUML vote share has plummeted in Tirurangadi, Perinthalmanna, Mankada and Manjeshwar constituencies, the overall result shows that party’s sway over the Muslim heartlands especially in the Malabar region remain by and large intact.
Meanwhile the lickings in Tanur, Koduvally and Thiruvambadi, the sitting seats of IUML, would be reflected in the party in the coming days.
In Tanur, according to Basheer, the party didn’t get expected support from Congress, while in Thiruvambadi Christian votes got consolidated in favour of LDF while the IUML rebel, backed by CPIM, toppled the party candidate in a narrow margin.
However, Basheer said, IUML leadership will look into the flaws the party committed during the campaign and will take corrective measures.
LDF’s strategy wins votes in IUML strongholds
The CPM strategy to conquer IUML bastions by fielding independent candidates has brought cheers to LDF in Malappuram district. Out of the six total candidates, independents sailed to win in three constituencies while Gafoor P Lillies and Niyas Pulikkilakath presented a neck to neck fight to IUML in Tirur and Tirurangadi.
In Nilambur, P V Anvar toppled Aryadan Soukath of Congress by 11054 votes while former Congress leader V Abdul Rahman wrested IUML strong hold Tanur from sitting MLA Abdul Rahman Randathani by a margin of 4918 votes. LDF sitting MLA K T Jaleel, retained Tavanur constituency by routing Youth Congress leader Ifthiqaruddeen by a margin of 17,064 votes.
“The strategy along with the active campaigning of the party workers has helped the Left coalition to attain better gaining,” said CPM Malappuram district secretary P P Vasudevan.
The leader, however, ruled out the claim that the personal splendor of independents helped the front in winning UDF bastions.
“Infact, the role of CPIM was evident everywhere. The party’s involvement is the key factor behind the meritorious victory,” he said.
While asked whether the candidates would get out of the front’s hands as Manjalamkuzhi Ali did in 2011, Vasudevan said that the independents would do justice to the voters and their interests by following the front’s mandates.
LDF resorted to strong campaigns against IUML alleging that the Muslim party had failed to resist the challenges against Muslims from Sangh fold.