Malappuram, 13 May (H.S.): Amid prolonged uncertainty over the selection of the next Chief Minister in Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has convened an emergency leadership meeting on Wednesday, reflecting growing unease within the party over the delay in government formation despite the United Democratic Front’s (UDF) emphatic electoral victory.

The high-level meeting, called by IUML State president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, will be held at his residence in Malappuram at 10 a.m. Eight senior leaders of the party are expected to participate in the discussions, which are likely to focus not only on the Chief Ministerial issue but also on the League’s role and representation in the new Cabinet.

Sources within the League indicated that the party is increasingly dissatisfied with the prolonged consultations over the Chief Minister’s post, especially after the UDF secured a massive mandate of 102 seats in the recently concluded Kerala Assembly elections. The delay, according to party insiders, has created frustration among cadres and elected representatives who expected a swift announcement following the alliance’s decisive victory.

The IUML leadership is understood to be particularly unhappy over what it sees as the Congress party’s continued emphasis on internal group equations while deciding the Chief Ministerial candidate. Senior League leaders believe that public sentiment and electoral realities should take precedence over factional considerations within the Congress.

The League has openly backed Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan for the Chief Minister’s post, crediting him with playing a central role in steering the UDF campaign and consolidating anti-incumbency sentiment against the Left Democratic Front government.

Earlier, the IUML had planned to convene its leadership meeting only after the Chief Ministerial announcement was made. However, with the decision continuing to be delayed, the party leadership decided not to wait any longer and instead called for an urgent consultation.

IUML Malappuram district general secretary P. Abdul Hameed had recently remarked that the delay in selecting the Chief Minister had even overshadowed the celebrations of newly elected MLAs. He also pointed out that several pressing governance issues require immediate attention from the incoming government, including the crisis surrounding textbook distribution and the announcement of SSLC and Plus Two examination results.

Apart from discussing the political situation, the meeting is also expected to deliberate on the number of ministerial berths the IUML should seek in the new Cabinet and the possible names to be recommended for ministerial positions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman