MALAPPURAM: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P K Kunhalikutty, who is contesting the Malappuram by-election, submitted his nomination papers to district collector Amit Meena on Monday.
Before filing the nomination, Kunhalikutty sought the blessing of Muslim League president Hyderali Shihab Thangal.
The party will officially roll out its poll campaign after convening a working committee meeting on Tuesday.
Hyderali Shihab Thangal said the IUML national general secretary would remain in UDF leadership despite his candidature for Parliament. “Kunhalikutty may be entering the national political scene, but he will continue to be in the core leadership team of the UDF,” he said.
“There are paths shown by great leaders before me– including the late Ahamed– as I am debuting into the national politics,” said Kunhalikutty after his candidature was announced by the party.
Kunhalikutty is presently the deputy leader of the UDF in the State Assembly and MLA from Vengara, one of the six Assembly segments in the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency.
Meanwhile, BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh has come out with a serious allegation that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had entered into an understanding with the Muslim League to ensure the victory of Muslim League candidate P K Kunhalikutty in Malappuram by-elections.
In an official statement, Ramesh said Pinarayi Vijayan had a clandestine meeting with Kunhalikutty at the residence of a famous Vallanchery-based businessman in the presence of another Muslim League leader.
"It is after this meeting that the CPM decided to field a weak candidate in the by-polls setting aside the names of strong contestants. Pinarayi Vijayan is still supporting Kunhalikutty who he had supported in the Ice cream parlour case," he alleged.
The Malappuram Lok Sabha seat fell vacant following the demise of IUML leader E Ahamed. The polls are scheduled to be held on April 12.