The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leadership meeting held at Panakkad on Wednesday authorized party supremo Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal to take an appropriate decision once the Congress high command announces its decision on who will be the next chief minister of Kerala.
IUML's Stance on Chief Minister Candidate
IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty stated that the party would convene another meeting after the Congress high command communicates its decision. Following this, Thangal would address the media and formally announce the stance of the IUML. Thangal had spoken to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday and conveyed the party's preference for opposition leader V D Satheesan as the new chief minister, asserting that such a decision would reflect the prevailing public sentiment in the state. The IUML leadership is hopeful that the Congress high command has taken its opinion into consideration.
Cabinet Formation and UDF-Level Discussions
When asked whether the leadership meeting discussed the selection of the party's cabinet ministers, Kunhalikutty confirmed that Thangal had been authorized to take decisions on all related matters. The party also decided to appoint a delegation led by Kunhalikutty to hold United Democratic Front (UDF)-level discussions with Congress regarding cabinet formation and IUML's representation in the ministry.
Criticism Over Delay in Congress Decision
Meanwhile, senior IUML leader and MLA-elect T V Ibrahim criticized the delay in Congress finalizing its chief ministerial candidate. He stated that the ongoing procedures and internal discussions were contrary to the mandate given by the people. On Tuesday, he remarked that the prolonged uncertainty had diminished the impact of the UDF's emphatic victory in the assembly polls, where it won 102 seats. Although the issue could technically be termed an internal matter of Congress, Ibrahim emphasized that current developments had been going against public expectations. He urged the Congress to decide on its chief ministerial candidate as soon as possible and to respect the people's mandate.
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