Is the once monolithic Indian Union Muslim League crumbling from within? The supporters of the IUML's dynamic state secretary Mr M. K. Muneer are increasingly wary of 'backstabbing' by his rival and party general secretary Mr P K. Kunhalikutty, in the upcoming polls.
These are fears also shared by lieutenants of the Muslim Youth League (MYL) state president, Mr. K. M. Shaji. It is learnt that the IUML leadership has offered Mr Muneer the Thiruvambady seat, which was won by the LDF in the by-election with a slender margin. His supporters, however, think that this is Mr Kunhalikutty's attempt to corner him.
It is no secret that Mr.Kunhalikutty and Mr.Muneer have no love lost for each other since the Indiavision channel, controlled by Mr.Muneer, aired in 2005 the interview of one of the victims of the ice cream sex racket case in which the IUML strongman was allegedly involved. The revelation led to the resignation of Mr.Kunhalikutty as industries minister and his temporary exit as the general secretary of the party.
In the run-up to this election too, the channel conducted a sting on Mr.Kunhalikutty in connection with the same sex racket alleging that he had paid off judges and victims to escape from the case. Muneer's well-wishers want him to contest either the Koduvally or the Kozhikode South constituencies as the chances of a win are high in these seats.
The case of Shaji is no different. He has been asked to contest the Guruvayur seat, which was also won by the LDF in the last elections. Shaji is a vociferous critic of the fundamentalist elements in the Muslim community like the Popular Front of India and has often challenged in party fora Kunhalikutty's alleged hobnobbing with these elements.