The Hindu : Narendran panel report a thorn in IUML flesh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 25, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Narendran panel report a thorn in IUML flesh

By R. Madhavan Nair

KOZHIKODE, FEB. 24. The Narendran Commission report on job reservation for minorities in government service has become a thorn in the flesh for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). This was evident at the recent meeting of its State working committee.

The IUML Ministers came under fire at the meeting for not pursuing the implementation of the panel's recommendations. Party sources indicated that the sub-committee appointed to hold discussions with other organisations on the issue would have to become more active in the coming days in view of the critical opinions voiced at the IUML State working committee meeting.

There has been criticism from various Muslim outfits, including the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and National Development Front (NDF) against the IUML for going soft on the issue.

More significant has been the expression of dissatisfaction, at the meeting, by the IUML State chief, Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, about the performance of the IUML Ministers. Mr. Thangal is not known to make such critical comments. Senior leaders like E.T. Mohammed Basheer had also given vent to their dissatisfaction over the Government's handling of the Narendran Commission recommendations and the Killi incident.

At the meeting, the IUML senior leaders, E. Ahmed and P.K. Kunhalikutty, explained the various hurdles blocking the implementation of the panel recommendations and the reasons why they were trying for a consensus on the issue with organisations like NSS and SNDP. Their views reportedly pacified the critics for the time being.

It was interesting to find that though the Ministers came under fire on the Narendran panel issue, the party leadership rose as one man to support the Education Minister, Nalakath Soopy, who had been targeted for attack by the DYFI and SFI cadres for the alleged irregularities in sanctioning of B.Ed. colleges. The IUML feeder organisations have also vowed to resist attempts to create disturbance at meetings attended by Mr. Soopy.

Whether the IUML all-India president, G.M. Banatwala, would be fielded again in the coming Lok Sabha polls also remains in the realm of speculation even after the State committee meeting. However, none had doubts about the candidature of Mr. E Ahmed, though the possibility of his contesting from Ponnani instead of Manjeri from where he had won with a massive lead is now considered strong. Ponnani seat is now represented by Mr. Banatwala.

Mr. Banatwala had attended the State committee meeting at the special request of the other leaders. At the end of the meeting, speculation was strong that the veteran leader who had been an eloquent spokesman for the IUML in Lok Sabha for years would be offered a Rajya Sabha seat which has fallen vacant following the passing away of the State general secretary, Korambayil Ahmed Haji.

In case Mr. Banatwala is not fielded for the Lok Sabha polls, the IUML would have to find a suitable candidate. T.N. Ahmed Kabeer from Ernakulam is among the names being considered. A section of the IUML leadership wants to field K.M. Muneer, the Public Works Minister, in the Lok Sabha polls. But party sources doubt if Mr. Thangal who has been given a free hand to choose party candidates for the elections would agree. This group would like Dr. Muneer to be replaced with K.P. A. Majid as the Public Works Minister.

A worrisome factor for the IUML leadership is its inability to complete its organisational elections. Except in Kannur and Kasaragod, district-level elections have been completed in all other districts months ago.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Ahmed said except in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, the Congress and its allies (of which IUML is one) appeared to have good winning chances in the Lok Sabha polls. In spite of these irritants, the IUML leaders are confident that they would be able to pull off comfortable victories in Ponnani and Manjeri, the two Lok Sabha seats in Malappuram district, as in the past elections.

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