MALAPPURAM: Panakkad Munavvarali Shihab Thangal has clarified the Muslim League’s position on the demand for the Deputy Chief Minister post if the UDF comes to power. Thangal stated that while the League is undoubtedly deserving of the Deputy CM position, the party is not raising an official claim at this moment. He pointed out that leaders like C.H. Mohammed Koya and Avukader Kutty Naha had held the post in the past. However, he left the possibility open, stating that it remains to be seen whether the demand will be raised as formal discussions progress.
Addressing allegations that League candidates sought votes on religious grounds, Munavvarali Thangal said the matter would be examined. He expressed his belief that League candidates did not resort to such tactics. He further clarified that he does not believe there was a specific consolidation of minority votes alone; rather, the UDF received support from all sections of society.
The issue gained traction following BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s comment that the Muslim League controls the Congress via “remote control.” Chandrasekhar questioned whether a secret deal existed to grant the League the Deputy CM post and six ministerial berths in exchange for support. Responding sharply, the Leader of the Opposition told Chandrasekhar not to lecture the Congress on politics. He remarked that the Congress knows how to manage its allies and suggested Chandrasekhar focus on his own party. He further mocked Chandrasekhar’s political lineage, calling him a leader “airlifted” into Kerala politics.
With input from KN.
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