Kozhikode: Amid discontent among cadres over Kozhikode and Kasaragod districts failing to find representation in the UDF ministry, posters were pasted before the League House, the state headquarters of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
Posters Question Exclusion
Posters, which were pasted overnight, questioned the exclusion of Kozhikode despite the district delivering a near sweep for the UDF. "What is the disqualification of Kozhikode, where all six candidates fielded by the party won?" one poster asked. The UDF, along with the RMP, had won 12 out of 13 seats in the district.
Another poster questioned the selection of K E Abdul Gafoor over leaders from Kozhikode, asking: "What is the merit of Gafoor to sideline Kozhikode?" Kuttiadi MLA-elect Parakkal Abdulla had initially been considered for a cabinet berth but was reportedly dropped after the party decided to induct Gafoor into the ministry.
A third poster asked whether Kozhikode was ‘only meant for holding party rallies'.
Difficult Ministerial Selection
The IUML went through one of its most difficult ministerial selection exercises this time, marked by intense lobbying and last-minute changes. Eventually, the party allocated ministerial berths to three MLAs from Malappuram and one each from Palakkad and Ernakulam.
Though the party later announced a half-term rotational arrangement under which Abdulla could become minister after two-and-a-half years, sections of the cadre remain dissatisfied. Protests were held in places including Purameri against the exclusion of Kozhikode.
After Malappuram, Kozhikode is the district where the IUML has its strongest legislative presence, with all six party candidates emerging victorious in the assembly elections.
Resentment in Kasaragod
The resentment has also extended to Kasaragod. In a notable reaction, BJP functionary K Surendran expressed disappointment that his electoral rival A K M Ashraf was not included in the cabinet. Ashraf had defeated Surendran in Manjeshwar by a margin of 29,252 votes.
In a Facebook post, Surendran said Kasaragod deserved cabinet representation. "I believe that in politics there are only opponents, not enemies. If you ask why I am saying this, it is because I sincerely wished that Kasaragod should get a ministerial berth. The reason is that Kasaragod remains the most underdeveloped district in Kerala — in education, healthcare, industry, infrastructure and almost every other sector. It is extremely painful that Ashraf was not given a ministerial position," he said in the post.
