Malappuram: The rumour mill is abuzz that the national treasurer of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) P.K. Kunhalikutty MLA may emerge as the candidate for the upcoming by-election in the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency represented by E. Ahamed.
According to party sources, a larger section of top leaders has reached a consensus unofficially on the candidature of Mr Kunhalikutty who represents Vengara in the Assembly.
However, a final picture would emerge only after the national executive committee meeting later this month.
If the party favours, Malappuram will become the launch pad for his full-fledged entry at the national political scene. The Election Commission is yet to declare the by-election.
The leadership is of the opinion that the new leader who is going for the Lok Sabha must have the calibre and experience to fill the void left by Ahamed who was crucial in managing the party affairs in New Delhi as its national president.
A section of the leaders believes that Mr Kunhalikutty is the only available senior leader who is capable of filling the gap. Malappuram is his home constituency as well.
Adding to credence to rumours, Mr Kunhalikutty had recently expressed willingness to take up any job entrusted by the party. He had hinted that his job in state politics was almost done with and was not ready to take up industry minister's post again if the UDF voted to power next time.
Meanwhile, the party workers have launched a quiet campaign to double up Ahamed's record majority in the last Lok Sabha polls.
Ahamed had won the seat with a majority of 1,94,739 votes in 2014 which was the highest in the state.
The party also plans to capitalise on the bad treatment meted out to Ahamed by the Union government to increase the majority.
