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Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Kerala
By Girish Menon
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 22. The induction of the IUML leader, E. Ahmed, in the Manmohan Singh Ministry as Minister of State is the Congress party's acknowledgement of its long-standing ties with the second largest constituent in the Kerala coalition. Mr. Ahmed has got preference over several other Kerala leaders from the Congress, thanks to his own relationship with the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, and the fact that he is the sole saving grace for the UDF in the Lok Sabha election this time. Even within the IUML, which has pondered over new alliances at various phases, Mr. Ahmed has been well known for his pro-Congress positions. The induction of other Congress leaders from Kerala, it is obvious, would have to await the proposed reconstitution of the Antony Cabinet and the KPCC in the light of the debacle the party suffered in the Lok Sabha election so that the party high command and the State leadership could take care of the communal balancing while going about the revamp job. Going by the mood in Delhi, the reconstitution is likely to be more drastic, with several factional icons being demolished. As far as the IUML is concerned, the presence of its sole nominee in the Union Ministry is the fulfilment of a dream to play an active role in national politics, particularly Muslim politics, which has been facing a leadership vacuum. The IUML has been a votary of governmental participation, which, it has always held, would help the Muslim community achieve the progress. It is a participant in administration at State and panchayat levels for decades, ensuring the best for the Muslim community. Mr. Ahmed's induction in the Union Ministry, therefore, is important as it helps the party to extend its theory at the national level. The IUML-Congress alliance is one of the oldest, lasting over three decades. It took nearly 15 years after the formation of Kerala for the IUML to be recognised as a major player in Kerala politics, either by the Left or by the Congress. There was a time, when the Congress found it difficult to associate openly with the party. But over a period of time, the rules of coalition politics ensured the party the respectability it desired, making it an important component of the anti-Communist conglomeration that came to be formed in the early 1970s under Mr. K. Karunakaran. The IUML leaders like Mr. Ahmed never miss an opportunity to highlight the close associations with the late Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and now Ms. Sonia Gandhi. The IUML leadership's moderate middle of the role positions has also helped in checking the growth of Muslim fundamentalism in the State. Mr. Ahmed, the sole winner from the UDF camp having annexed the Ponnani seat by over a lakh votes, has every reason to be proud as the Ministers's post has come in search of him. He would have been in a much comfortable position had his party kept its date with the Manjeri seat. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Known for his direct ties with the Congress president, Mr. Ahmed has always maintained secular positions, even while working to fulfil the aspirations of his community. Mr. Ahmed was earlier Industry Minister in the Karunakaran Cabinet in 1982, but was shifted to Parliament in 1991 in tune with the changing equations in the IUML. Through his unique qualities of making friends across the political landscape, Mr. Ahmed soon rose to be a respectable leader in Parliament, participating actively in debates. Mr. P. M. Sayeed finds a berth in the Union Ministry despite his narrow defeat from the Lakshadweep Lok Sabha seat, for his unflinching loyalty to Ms. Gandhi. Mr. Sayeed has stood with the Congress through thick and thin, and his induction as Minister, despite a defeat, is a fitting acknowledgement of his loyalty.
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