Finalising their candidate list, the Indian Union Muslim League has announced their final candidate list of 27 candidates — three more than the last time — including a women candidate after 25 years. Advocate Noorbina Rasheed, who is the Muslim Women League’s national general secretary, will contest the Assembly election from Kozhikode South, said the party’s state president Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal.
The IUML also enforced the three-term rule — where candidates who have finished three terms cannot contest in this election — within their leadership giving flexibility to just three people — PK Kunhalikutty (Vengara), KPA Majeed (Thiroorangadi), and MK Muneer (Koduvally). Moreover, the party’s candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha bypoll in Malappuram is Abdusamad Samadani and the Rajya Sabha seat is for PV Abdul Wahab.
Ibrahim Kunju’s son VE Abdul Gafoor will contest from his father’s seat Kalamassery for the election, and speaking to the media, Kunju explained that Gafoor was not selected because he is his son. “I am thankful for the party for having given me many chances to represent the people, and even be minister twice. I am also thankful for giving Gafoor a chance, but I can ensure that he wasn’t selected because he is my son. Gafoor is a practising High Court lawyer and has his importance within the party hierarchy. I know that he would do well as an elected member,” a tearful Kunju told media persons.
Moreover, the party leadership is yet to announce the candidates for the Punalur/Chadayamangalam and Perambra seats, as the alliance is yet to decide if the League will take Punalur or Chadayamangalam. The leaders have informed that the announcement will be made when the decision has been taken.
Here is the full list:
1. Manjeshwaram: AKM Ashraf
2. Kasargod: NA Nellikunnu
3. Azhikode: KM Shaji
4. Koothuparambu: Pottankandi Abdulla
5. Kuttiadi: Parakkal Abdullah
6. Kozhikode South: Adv Noorbina Rashid
7. Kunthamangalam: Dinesh Perumanna (UDF Independent candidate)
8. Thiruvambady: CP Cheriya Muhammad
9. Malappuram: P Ubaidullah
10. Vallikunnu: P Abdul Hameed Master
11. Kondotty: TV Ibrahim
12. Ernad: PK Basheer
13. Manjeri: Adv UA Latif
14. Perinthalmanna: Najeeb Kanthapuram
15. Tanur: PK Feroz
16. Kottakkal: KK Abid Hussain Thangal
17. Mankada: Manjalamkuzhi Ali
18. Vengara: PK Kunhalikutty
19. Tirur: Kurukkoli Moitheen
20. Guruvayur: Adv KNA Khader
21. Thiroorangadi: KPA Majeed
22. Mannarkkad: Adv N Shamsuddin
23. Kalamassery: Adv VE Gafoor
24. Koduvally: Dr MK Muneer
25. Kongad: UC Raman
26. Punalur/Chadayamangalam: This Will be announced later
27. Perambra: This Will be announced later