THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Muslim League has voiced concern over the Congress's delay in naming a Chief Minister, even a week after the election results were announced.
League leader P Abdul Hameed, who is also Malappuram district general secretary of the party, argued that comparing Kerala to northern states, where a CM may be chosen even 50 days later, makes no sense, as people in Kerala are politically aware and expect a democratically elected government to start functioning right after the results.
He said they are struggling to face the public's questions about the delay, with party workers yet to celebrate the victory or hold thanksgiving events. The leadership pointed out rising public dissatisfaction, noting that voters gave a strong mandate against the LDF's misrule and expected the UDF to quickly set the administration in order and take prompt, pro-people decisions.
It may be recalled that the Muslim League has made their preference for Chief Minister clear. While the League leaders haven't revealed the details of their discussions with the AICC observers, it's widely believed they backed V D Satheeshan for the role.
IUML supremo Panakkad Sadikali Shiab Thangal pointed to opinion polls and public sentiment showing Satheeshan as the top choice for Chief Minister among Congress leaders. However, some Congress leaders, including Mathew Kuzhalnadan MLA, openly criticised the League's stance, saying other parties should not interfere in their internal matters.
The BJP also criticized the UDF for giving in to the pressures of the Indian Union Muslim League. BJP-Sangh Parivar organizations are running a campaign claiming that the Jamaat-e-Islami is influencing the Congress. Having won three seats in the assembly elections-two in Thiruvananthapuram district and one in neighboring Kollam district-the BJP is encouraged by the voters' response. They believe one of the key reasons for their significant victory in these elections is the Muslim appeasement practiced by the UDF and LDF.