IUML faces a difficult task in Perinthalman

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is one of the toughest challenges in Perinthalmana.

KP Mustafa, a young businessman and former chairman of the Malappuram municipality, is a Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in Perinthalmana. The candidacy of Mr. Mustafa, a former member of the Muslim League, could shock the IUML.

Meanwhile, the IUML took Najib K., the state vice-president of the Muslim Youth League (MYL), to take on Mr. Mustafa. The CPI (M) has fielded him from the IUML with the sole aim of winning the Perinthalmna, ignoring the party’s views.

In 2016, IUML chief Manjulamukhi called the CPI-M’s V. Sasikumar was defeated. The margin of victory for Mr. Ali was 579 votes. For Mr. Sasikumar, the one-time MLA (2006) of the CPI (M) and a popular leader in the region, Perinthalmana was a slip between the cup and the lip.

Mr. Ali’s winning margin in 2011 was 9,589. A drop of just 579 from that comfortable figure in five years was a matter of grave concern for IUML. As of 2011, Mr. Ali stayed with the LDF, winning the neighboring Mankada seat in 2001 and 2006. IUML and its rivals knew that were it not for Mr. Ali, Perinathalmana would remain in Mr. Krishnakumar’s hands.

But largely due to internal rivalry, sensing a tilt in the IUML vote bank at Perinthalamna, Mr. Ali shifted back to Mankada this time. With Mr. Ali relocating to Mankada, the IUML, Mr. Najib, brought in an outsider, hoping to unite the warring groups. The UDF has new expectations from Mr. Najib, a fresher in Kozhikode district.

Mr Mustafa’s candidacy has angered some of Perinthalmana’s loyal party leaders. But the party is hoping to replicate the ‘Manjulmukhi Act’ by using Mr Mustafa’s deep pockets to make inroads into the UDF vote bank.

Expectations are high for both fronts. For the winner, it will never be a cakewalk. Realizing this, the duo has started an expedition to Bayana in Perinthalman, which is made up of the Perinthalman municipality and the panchayats of Melatur, Vettathur, Thajekode, Aliparamba, Palmantholol.

And Elamkulam.

While the LDF is ruling Perinthalamna, Thazhecode, and Pulamanthol, the UDF has a majority in Waitathur, Aliparamba and Elamkulam. It was a tie in Melatur.