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IUML facing a formidable challenge

Abdul Latheef Naha

Backed by the People's Democratic Party and Jamaat-e-Islami, the LDF may make gains

MALAPPURAM: The Assembly election in Malappuram district is at its raucous best this time. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is challenged in this ballot like never before. The enemy, which used to be at the gates, is right in the courtyard of the Muslim League.

The IUML says its machinery is geared up to face any challenge. In two years, the party has overcome the shock it suffered at Manjeri in the last Lok Sabha elections. And now, it is going to an electoral war knowing well that the party's future will depend a great deal on its strength in the 13th Assembly.

Unlike the previous elections, the party has cast aside its complacency. It has dared its opponents by risking top leaders such as P.K. Kunhalikutty, E.T. Mohammed Basheer and M.K. Muneer. All of them are pitted in fierce contests.

The IUML has fielded Dr. Muneer against the hugely popular Manjalamkuzhi Ali to recapture Mankada, where the prestige of both fronts is at stake. Dr. Muneer is approaching the voters with his glamorous image as the son of C.H. Mohammed Koya. There is no undercurrent against him in Mankada. But the people, most of who are known personally to Mr. Ali, are bedazzled by the colourful and extravagant campaign launched by both fronts. Dr. Muneer enjoys an edge in Mankada.

The situation is different in Kuttippuram, where Mr. Kunhalikutty is challenged by expelled Youth League leader K.T. Jaleel, who enjoys the backing of the LDF, People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

By chosing Kuttippuram, a constituency he won three times since 1991, Mr. Kunhalikutty has boldly taken up the gauntlet thrown by Mr. Jaleel. The fight is spectacular, especially when watched by the State and national media. But Mr. Jaleel, despite the hullabaloo created by his campaign, may not after all make a real dent in the traditional vote-bank of the IUML. The galvanised IUML machinery is likely to ensure maximum polling this time. Kuttippuram, which marked one of the lowest polling percentages in the district (61.2 per cent) in the last Assembly elections, is likely to see a spurt in voting, mainly owing to high-voltage campaigning.

Mr. Basheer is locked in a fierce contest in Tirur against CPI(M) area secretary P.P. Abdullakutty. Mr. Basheer, known for his oratorical skills and honest brokering, is unable to help out any of his colleagues in the district, as he remains confined to Tirur to on the valiant opposition put up by the LDF. But for Mr. Basheer, Tirur is certain to go the LDF way.

The LDF, in spite of concentrating its prowess in a few constituencies, is unlikely to make huge gains in the district. Its hopes are bright in Ponnani and Perinthalmanna, two seats currently held by the UDF. LDF convener Paloli Mohammedkutty is taking on DIC(K) leader M.P. Gangadharan in Ponnani. The LDF is banking on the lead it secured in Ponnani in all the elections held in the last couple of years.

In Perinthalmanna, where IUML's P. Abdul Hameed is pitted against CPI(M)'s V. Sasikumar, the contest is neck and neck. The odds may be in favour of the LDF here; but Mr. Hameed's experience in conducting the UDF campaigns for the last 35 years cannot be overlooked.

Compared to Mankada, Perinthalmanna, Tirur, Ponnani and Kuttippuram, the fight is dull for the other seven seats in the district.

M. Ummer (IUML) is taking on P.M. Safarulla (Janata Dal-S) in Malappuram; Abdurahman Randathani (IUML) is pitted against P.K. Mohammedkutty in Tanur; P.K. Abdu Rabb (IUML) is contesting against A.P. Abdul Wahab (INL) in Manjeri; K. Mohammedunni Haji (IUML) is fighting T.P. Mohammedkutty (CPI-M) in Kondotty. All these seats have traditionally been with the IUML.

Five Ministers and five sitting MLAs are in the fray in Malappuram, the State's largest electorate.

According to the latest figures, the district has 22.23 lakh voters, with 11.47 lakh women and 10.75 lakh men.

Apart from Mr. Muneer and Mr. Basheer, the Ministers contesting in the district are Aryadan Mohammed, K. Kutty Ahamed Kutty and A.P. Anil Kumar.

Mr. Aryadan is taking on CPI(M)'s P. Sreeramakrishnan in Nilambur, a constituency with UDF legacy. Mr. Anil Kumar is pitted against Korambayil Sankaran of the CPI(M) in Wandoor, a seat reserved for Scheduled Community.

Mr. Kutty is seeking mandate from Tirurangadi for the third time. He is taking on the CPI's K. Moideenkoya.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too has fielded candidates in all 12 seats. The party claims that it has nearly 1.2 lakh votes in the district. But the party has a history of losing votes in the Assembly elections.

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