MALAPPURAM: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has fielded K.N.A. Khader as the UDF candidate for the October 11 Vengara assembly bypoll. IUML president Hyderali Shihab Thangal made the announcement at his Panakkad residence after the party’s parliamentary board meeting on Monday. IUML state secretary U.A. Latheef, who was also in the race for nomination till the last moment, will replace Mr Khader as its district general secretary.
Mr Khader’s candidature came as expected by many who considered the denial of ticket for him in the 2016 elections was unjustifiable as his performance in the assembly in two terms was better. Khader who had quit the Communist Party of India (CPI) for the IUML got elected from Vallikkunnu in 2011 and from Kondotty in 2001. Besides the two, party state general secretary K.P.A. Majeed, P.M.A. Salam and P.K. Firos, general secretary of Muslim Youth League, were also under consideration. However, the surprising withdrawal of Mr Majeed from the possible candidature on Sunday made his way easy.
There were reports that Mr Khader had pressurized party leadership for the candidature. Several of his comments had been interpreted as due to displeasure after being denied ticket in 2016 elections. The party leadership expressed confidence that he could surpass the victory margin of P.K. Kunhalikutty in the last assembly election. The Thangal had promised him "prime consideration in future" during the announcement of party candidates for the assembly election last year.
