The debate over whether the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) will be given the post of Deputy Chief Minister if the United Democratic Front (UDF) comes to power in Kerala has resurfaced, with Muslim Youth League State president Syed Munawwarali Shihab Thangal reiterating that the party is eligible for the post.
“Muslim League is eligible for Deputy Chief Minister’s post. Former party leaders like C.H. Mohammed Koya and Avukkadar Kutty Naha had become Deputy Chief Ministers. Therefore the party is entitled for the post. But we will not claim it now. Neither do we negotiate it,” said Mr. Munawwarali Thangal.
He said the IUML had never sought votes on the basis of religion. “We will never resort to such bad practices. If anyone raises any such complaints, we will investigate it,” he said.
IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty, however, dismissed the discussion as untimely and irrelevant. “There is no need for such a discussion. We never desired for or raised a demand for it,” he said.
Party State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal had, during the electioneering, made it clear that the party would not stake a claim for Deputy Chief Minister’s post. He stuck to his stand here on Friday.
