IUML supports V D Satheesan for CM’s post; people’s sentiments seen in exit polls should be considered, says Sadikhali Thangal

A day after the exit polls predicted a UDF win in the Assembly elections held in Kerala on April 9, the Indian Union Muslim League, the second largest constituent in the Congress-led UDF, has signaled strong support for V D Satheesan for the post of Chief Minister

Speaking to the media in Malappuram on Thursday, IUML Kerala president Sadiqali Shihab Thangal said the support received by V D Satheesan for the post of Chief Minister in the exit polls is the public sentiment. It seems that is the opinion of the people, he added.

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Thangal stated that the recent exit poll results reflecting public support for Satheesan are a matter of “public sentiment” that the UDF must consider when deciding on the leadership. “Public sentiment will be considered by the UDF while considering a decision on the post of Chief Minister. The Congress high command will also take a decision respecting the public sentiment,” he added.

Senior Congress leader and Opposition leader in the outgoing Assembly Satheesan has received the most support for the post of UDF Chief Minister in the exit poll. It is interesting to note that the IUML state president has stated that the decision on who should be the Chief Minister should be made based on the opinion of the people.

While the IUML traditionally leaves selection of the Chief Minister to the Congress high command, this vocal backing marks a significant shift in its stance on who will lead the UDF government.

The IUML’s open support for Satheesan may cause unease within certain sections of the Congress. Leaders such as K C Venugopal and Ramesh Chennithala are also considered potential contenders. The IUML’s intervention is seen as a move to block other candidates by citing “public sentiment”. Some Congress leaders view the IUML’s stance as an interference in internal matters of the party, which could lead to friction during the final decision-making process.

The CPM-led LDF and the BJP have often alleged that the IUML takes the decisions in the UDF and this move allows political rivals to argue that the IUML is dictating terms to the Congress.

While the IUML has set the tone, the final decision regarding the CM remains with the Congress High Command.