5 days ago
IUML enlists Panakkad family support for Shoukath's campaign
In a bid to quell criticism that the Panakkad Syed Shihab Thangal family was keeping their distance from Aryadan Shoukath over his past remarks against them, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has enlisted the family's support to campaign for the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate in Nilambur.
IUML district president Syed Abbasali Shihab Thangal, the youngest brother of the late Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal and current party supremo Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, campaigned for Mr. Shoukath in Nilambur on Tuesday.
Criticism had emerged from certain quarters about the absence of any Panakkad Syed family member at the UDF's inaugural convention in Nilambur on Monday, in which most top leaders of the front had attended.
Despite prominent IUML leaders like P.K. Kunhalikutty, P.V. Abdul Wahab, M.K. Muneer, M.P. Abdussamad Samadani, P.M.A. Salam, and K.P.A. Majeed attending the convention, the absence of any Thangal sparked a debate among UDF critics.
Panakkad family's seniormost member and IUML State President Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal is presently in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, as part of a special delegation for Haj pilgrimage. 'When I visited Panakkad, Thangal called me from Makkah and wished me luck, assuring me of his prayers for my victory,' said Mr. Shoukath.
Mr. Abbasali took part in a rally at Munderi in Pothukal panchayat along with Mr. Shoukath and other IUML leaders such as P.V. Abdul Wahab, MP, and P.K. Basheer, MLA. Addressing the rally, Mr. Abbasali said that the voters of Nilambur were being given a golden chance to reject the Left Democratic Front (LDF)'s alleged misrule in the State.
Forecasting a landmark win for the UDF candidate, Mr. Abbasali assured that he would stand firmly behind Mr. Shoukath until the election's culmination. 'Even CPI(M) supporters will switch sides to vote for Mr. Shoukath, reflecting the people's desire for a change,' he said.
Apart from Mr. Wahab and Mr. Basheer, Congress State working president A.P. Anil Kumar, MA, P.C. Vishnunath, MLA, Shafi Parambil, MP, M. Vincent, MLA, Anvar Sadath, MLA, Rahul Mamkootathil, MLA, Muslim Youth League general secretary P.K. Firos, district Congress president V.S. Joy and District Panchayat vice president Ismail Moothedam addressed the rally.
