The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has continued to publicly express its strong dissatisfaction over the Congress party's delay in deciding the next chief minister of Kerala. The Muslim League has convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation at Panakkad on Wednesday morning.
IUML Reiterates Preference for Satheesan
Sources indicate that the League has once again conveyed its preference for opposition leader V D Satheesan to the Congress high command. The meeting is expected to discuss the party's response if its opinion is not considered by Congress while deciding the next chief minister.
IUML MLA-elect T V Ibrahim stated that the ongoing procedures and internal exercises are contrary to the people's mandate. He added that the prolonged uncertainty has diminished the sheen of the UDF's emphatic victory.
Public Frustration Over Delay
"Since a decision hasn't been taken yet, we are in a situation where we can't even venture outside. From early morning, people have been coming to my house asking if a decision has been made. Even when I was leaving the mosque now, people were asking whether the decision had been taken," Ibrahim said.
Though technically one could say it was Congress's internal matter, the current procedures and exercises are going against the public's will, he said. "This is unacceptable. Congress must decide who their leader will be as soon as possible and respect the people's mandate," he added.
Historical Parallel Drawn
Drawing a historical parallel, Ibrahim said similar events occurred in Kerala's political history in 1996. "At that time, the public expected Gowri Amma to be the chief minister after CPM's victory. However, CPM brought in Nayanar as CM. That decision faced heavy criticism at the time," said Ibrahim.
"Congress must decide immediately. It's not just the MLAs; even ordinary UDF workers are finding it difficult to face the public. This isn't just a problem for Congress members; it's the same for us, UDF's constituents," he added.
IUML's Role in Leadership Talks
Asked whether IUML's opinions were being sidelined and the League was finding itself with no role in leadership talks, Ibrahim said he didn't believe IUML would be without any role. "If you look at Congress's history, they have always considered IUML's opinions. The relationship between Congress and League is very warm. I believe Congress will consider League's opinions," he said.
On having to face a byelection if someone who wasn't an MLA was made chief minister, Ibrahim said there were provisions in the Constitution for such inevitable situations. "However, I have concerns about how the public views the current situation as unnecessary exercise," he said.
