MALAPPURAM: The disputes within the UDF in the district have revealed the real strength of each party in the district. The so-called ‘friendly contests’ have become a boon for the IUML in Malappuram district. The party has proved that it is strong enough to win the elections in a few areas of Malappuram district without the support of other parties in the front. The contest has proved that even the CPM and Congress alliance is not enough to defeat the IUML. In some areas, the friendly contests showed the real strength of the IUML in the district. It also revealed how weak is Congress without the IUML support. The IUML has won 15 panchayats in the district without the support of the Congress. The front formed by Congress party with the support of CPM and various others parties have only managed to win four panchayats in the district. However, LDF won two panchayats exploiting the differences between Congress and IUML. The contest produced hung governing bodies in some other panchayats. The IUML support helped LDF win Moothedam and Poroor panchayats by defeating Congress.
“We have proven our strength in the district by winning few panchayats contesting alone. LDF has utilised the rifts in UDF and it has won seats more than it actually deserves,” M Ummer, IUML MLA said. The Congress party has given an opportunity for other parties to evaluate their strength without the support of IUML.