THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Contrary to expectations, the Muslim League had initially zeroed in on U. A. Latheef as the candidate for Vengara by-poll with a firm backing of P. K. Kunhalikutty MP. But K. N. A. Khader threatened that he would leave the party which forced the leadership to change their earlier stand. Hectic parleys were on at its parliamentary board meeting on Monday morning held at Kodappan-akkal.
The probable candidates were also called in, and Mr Latheef was hopeful. But Kunhalikutty’s plans did not work as expected. A party source told DC that though Mr Khader also belonged to the Kunhalikutty camp, he relied more on Mr Latheef. “The ploy of Mr Kunhalikutty is that if the UPA Government does not come to power again, he will come back to his home district and contest in the Assembly elections. In the next Assembly elections, he is plotting to field Mr Latheef from Manjeri where the sitting MLA is now M. Ummer,” said a Muslim League source.
Party insiders also confirmed to DC that it would be easy for him to make adjustments with Mr Latheef than Mr Khader. When the television channels broke the news of Mr Latheef as the candidate, a peeved Mr Khader left the meeting in a huff. Initial reports had hinted at state general secretary K. P. A. Majeed and P. M. A. Salam as well. However, Mr Majeed bowed out citing organisational responsibilities. Mr Khader returned only 30 minutes after Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thang-al’s announcement. Mr Latheef would replace him as district secretary.
