In a historic achievement for the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Fathima Thahiliya has become the party's first woman legislator in its 75-year existence. She secured a victory in the Perambra constituency, defeating the Left Democratic Front (LDF) convener T P Ramakrishnan.
Election Results 2026
Thahiliya's triumph comes amidst a broader electoral landscape where Vijay's TVK party has emerged as a formidable force in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee trails behind Suvendu Adhikari after the second round in Bhabanipur. The TVK has pushed both the DMK and AIADMK to the margins, while the BJP may oust Mamata in Bengal and retain Assam.
A lawyer and Kozhikode corporation councillor, Thahiliya's candidacy was initially viewed as a risky move in a constituency held by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for decades. However, her campaign, marked by a personal touch, stunned her heavyweight opponent and rewrote the political script.
Campaign Challenges
As her campaign gained momentum, rivals attempted to counter her rise through narratives like 'Kauminte Kutti'. LDF leaders, including Ahamed Devarkovil, stirred controversy by claiming she was a nominee of Jamaat-e-Islami. However, these strategies appeared to backfire. Despite efforts to polarize voters, Thahiliya's candidacy cut across social and political lines.
Political Journey
Thahiliya's political journey has been shaped by her role as a reform-oriented voice within the party. As the founding president of Haritha, the women's wing of the Muslim Students Federation, she was at the forefront of raising questions around gender justice. Even when she faced significant political risks after Haritha leaders raised allegations against senior male MSF leaders, she remained steadfast in her demand for a more inclusive and respectful political environment.
Although IUML also fielded another woman leader, Jayanthi Rajan, in Koothuparamba this election, she did not win. Historically, IUML has deviated from its all-male candidate pattern only twice: in 1996, when Khamarunnisa Anwar was fielded from Calicut II (now Kozhikode South), and in 2021, when Noorbina Rasheed contested from Kozhikode South. Both, however, failed to gain entry to the assembly.
For decades, the IUML has tried to balance the growing demands for greater women representation with the conservative stance of powerful clerical bodies. Thahiliya's victory marks a significant step forward in this regard.
