Malappuram: The Left may lose power in several local bodies after the Assembly election in the district. A number of panchayats may fall into the UDF kitty as the Congress and Muslim League rebels are all set to make a comeback after the Assembly results. Some of them were seen actively campaigning for the UDF.
The Muslim League leadership hinted at a change of guard in local governments in various parts of the district where the LDF had made inroads into the party’s strong vote base. “There will be a change in all the panchayat administrations where the UDF was shaky irrespective of the outcome of the Assembly election,” Muslim League leader Kunhalikutty told this newspaper. The poll results won’t have any impact on this decision, he added.
The local body election in November had witnessed a considerable gain for the Left alliance in the district fuelled by the collapse of UDF in many areas. Muslim League had to fight the coalitions Janakeeya Munnani or Vikasana Munnani which are a concoction of Left parties and others in most cases headed by the CPM.
The coalition is at the helm in many panchayats and municipalities with the support of Congress or League rebels. Showing the signs of a possible return to the party fold, the Kavanoor panchayat vice-president and League rebel M.P. Ahmed Haji was recently seen in an election campaign of P.K. Basheer, the League candidate in the Eranad constituency. Haji’s support was instrumental for the Left Front to form the government.
“Though there is a suspension from the party, I am still a voter and worker of the Muslim League. I was welcomed in the electioneering of the P.K. Basheer as a party man,” Ahmed Haji said. Ozhur Panchayat in the Tanur constituency would also witness a change of guard, says Muslim League leader and candidate of the segment Abdurahman Randathani. "All the gain the Left parties made in the local polls would loss after the Assembly elections. An agreement has been finalised in this regard," Randathani said.
