The Hindu : IUML steps in to `protect' UDF

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Oct 27, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

IUML steps in to `protect' UDF

By Girish Menon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Oct. 25. The Indian Union Muslim League has stepped in to ``protect'' the UDF from disintegration by making it clear that it would no longer be a bystander in the mounting crisis that has cast a shadow on the functioning of the ruling coalition.

The message that the party's State secretariat and working committee has been sending over the last few weeks is that it would play a pro-active role in ensuring the UDF's stability by taking the initiative in holding bilateral discussions with the coalition partners. The party's working committee, which met in Kozhikode on Friday, did not mince words in its analysis of the current state of affairs in the UDF.

``The IUML does not wish to interfere in the internal problems of the Congress. The party has been constantly informing the Congress leadership about its apprehensions at the continuing factional fights in the Congress and its adverse effect on the functioning of the ruling coalition. The time has come for the Congress and the coalition partners to make creative attempts to strengthen and retain the UDF's structure.''

``It is the responsibility of those who are at the helm of affairs of the UDF and the Government to carry along all sections in fulfilling the mandate bestowed by the people. The IUML will play its creative role in ensuring the UDF's stability and instil confidence and credibility among the minority community,'' the party working committee said.

It has dismissed ``with the contempt it deserves'' the LDF leaders' statements that the IUML will not be co-opted in any future political formation. Given the intensity of the factional fight in the Congress, the IUML has taken a pragmatic position by announcing that it would play out its role in ensuring stability, but it has taken care to retain the prerogative to exercise its options on the developments in the Congress relating to the leadership change.

As a follow up of its working committee decision to hold bilateral discussions, the IUML general secretary, E. Ahmed, the Public Works Minister, M.K. Muneer, and other leaders met the KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan. Mr. Muralidharan had also met the party State secretary and the Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty on Thursday. In all these discussions, Mr. Muraleedharan is understood to have stressed that the demand for leadership change was irrevocable.

The IUML leadership is keen to be on the right side of the Congress high command. This is one of the reasons why the party has steered clear from debating the issue of leadership change. The party nevertheless perceives that the UDF had been considerably weakened as a result of apprehensions of the minority communities, which was reflected in the Ernakulam defeat and the subsequent political uncertainty it has caused.

In short, it has done a virtual tightrope walking by ensuring its national ambitions are not disrupted while pursuing its attempts to retain the UDF structure.

With little prospects of getting accommodation in the new political formation being debated, the IUML has no other alternative but to ensure that the UDF is not dismantled. The coming days would be crucial because much depends on how the IUML goes about its self-assigned job.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Southern States

News Update

Stories in this Section

AICC seeks explanation from faction leaders

Graphite case to be dropped

Nayanar's condition stable

AICC move will not solve crisis: Murali

I discussed party affairs with Sonia: Vakkom

IUML steps in to `protect' UDF

Feast of St. Gregorios begins

Thomas Isaac to lead LDF poll campaign

Lack of medical care: Siamese twins dead

NoRKs to field candidate

SSF plans drive against pan masala

Kumarakom tense after clash