THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The proposed entry of the Indian National League (INL) to the Left Democratic Front will definitely reshape the Muslim politics of the state hitherto dominated by the Indian Union Muslim League. While the clout of the Muslim League may not diminished with this latest development, cadres and lower- and middle-level leaders will have a new possibility to look up to.
For long INL, which was formed by the veteran Muslim League leader Ibrahim Sulaiman Sait in April 1994, has been patiently waiting for an entry into the LDF fold. The impending general election helped end that wait. With the Left front in search of allies to secure maximum number of seats from the state in next year’s general election, INL became it first choice given its Muslim support base as well as the secular position it has taken all these years.
“INL has always supported the Left movement and we think the party will get an entry to LDF fold in the next few days,” a senior state office bearer of the INL told Express, requesting anonymity. He said the Muslim politics in the state, dominated by the Muslim League, will see a realignment with IUML cadres and lower- and middle-level leaders flowing to the front.
SDPI and Welfare Party will be the other casualties with youth finding a new opening with the INL.
The senior leader of the INL told Express: “Muslim politics of the state is in a flux and with the INL entry into the LDF, lots of youngsters who are into SDPI,PFI and Welfare party will come with us as we are an alternate to Muslim League in Muslim political sphere.”
He said League failed to maintain the momentum provided by its legendary leaders. “As a political party, the League did not move ahead after the towering contributions given to the Muslim society by leaders like C H Mohammed Koya, Ibrahim Sulaeman Sait, Seethi Saheb, C K P Cheriya Mammukeyi and P M Aboobacker. INL will fill that vacuum and will be a secular alternate to IUML.”
“With a highly educated and financially sound Muslim society in place, there is no space for religious extremism and we totally opposed to it. Our entry into the Left front will marginalise these forces,” he said.