Kerala CM deadlock: IUML to announce stand only after Congress high command’s decision

As uncertainty continues over the selection of the next Chief Minister of Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has decided to wait for the official announcement from the Congress high command before declaring its stand on the issue.

An emergency meeting of the IUML high-powered committee held on Wednesday at Panakkad in Malappuram authorised the party’s state president, Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, to take further decisions after the Congress leadership finalises Kerala’s next Chief Minister.

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IUML General Secretary P. K. Kunhalikutty said the party leadership had empowered Shihab Thangal to decide the party’s future course of action.

“We are waiting for a decision from the Congress high command in Delhi in this regard,” Kunhalikutty told reporters in Malappuram after the meeting.

“The high-powered committee discussed all related matters and authorised Thangal to take further decisions. We will take a call after the high command announces the Chief Minister,” he added.

Describing the delay in announcing the Chief Ministerial candidate as “natural” in a democratic process, Kunhalikutty said it had not created any administrative hurdles in the state.

Meanwhile, sections of Christian churches have reportedly expressed unhappiness over the IUML’s involvement in the Chief Ministerial discussions.

Church representatives have alleged that the League is intervening in a manner aimed at supporting Congress leader V. D. Satheesan for the Chief Minister’s post.

Despite securing a landslide victory in the Assembly elections, the Indian National Congress has yet to announce its Chief Ministerial choice. The delay is reportedly due to a three-way contest among V.D. Satheesan, K. C. Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala.