IUML leader Muneer said the Congress has capable leadership and a decision on the chief ministerial candidate could be taken without delay after the election results are announced on May 4. Photo: X screengrab | @PTI_News
IUML not backing any Congress leader for CM post, says Muneer amid speculation
Party clarifies stance after remarks on UDF leadership spark debate; slams ‘fear narrative’ targeting IUML ahead of results
Kozhikode (Kerala), May 2 (PTI) IUML leader M K Muneer on Saturday said the party has not backed any Congress leader as the chief ministerial candidate.
Speaking to a media house on Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president, Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal's statement that Congress leader V D Satheesan had led the UDF in the Assembly election—which was interpreted by some as the ally’s support for him as chief ministerial candidate—Muneer said the party had expressed no preference in the matter.
"Thangal has not said anything about the chief minister candidate. He had said the decision has to be made by the Congress high command," Muneer said.
He said the Congress has capable leadership and a decision on the chief ministerial candidate could be taken without delay after the election results are announced on May 4.
"We believe that the decision taken by the Congress high command will be accepted in the party," he said.
The former minister alleged that attempts were being made to create fear around the IUML by promoting a narrative that a UDF government would be under the control of the party.
"They want IUML not to handle anything. They claim that if IUML gets the Home portfolio, riots will happen. They claim that if the Education portfolio is given to IUML, only Muslim schools will get permissions. The government will be a shadow of Jamaat-e-Islami," he said.
Muneer said such narratives were aimed at creating fear among the public and deepening divisions.
"If IUML remains silent, a conspiracy will be alleged behind it. This is an attempt to make IUML part of a larger hate politics. The attempt is to link IUML with the hate politics prevalent across the country," he said.
He said every movement of the IUML was being watched and criticised.
Muneer further said that rather than minority consolidation, the Assembly election had witnessed a consolidation of secular votes.
"The sentiments of secular people have been hurt. They do not agree with people propagating communal venom, and the result will prove it," he said. PTI