The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) appeared at loose ends on Tuesday, having reached no final decision on its demand for an additional berth in the State Cabinet. The party will make a decision after Wednesday's United Democratic Front (UDF) meeting, said IUML Legislature Party leader and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty at Panakkad.
Addressing newspersons after a meeting of the IUML secretariat at party State president Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal's house at Panakkad, Mr. Kunhalikutty said the party was hopeful of getting the fifth ministerial post. Everything remained favourable for the IUML after party president E. Ahamed and State general secretary E.T. Mohammed Basheer held discussions with the Congress high command, he added.
Mr. Kunhalikutty said that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala had made their opinions in the matter, and the IUML would make its stand public after the UDF meeting.
‘‘The UDF has the authority to take a final decision in the matter,'' Mr. Kunhalikutty said adding that there is no confusion in the party about the possibility of getting the fifth Minister. He blamed the media for spreading rumours and planted versions of news about the party. Much of the news being spread about the IUML's demand was false, he added.
Mr. Thangal presided over the meeting. Among those who attended the meeting were K.P.A. Majeed, K. Kutty Ahamed Kutty, M.K. Muneer, Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, K.M. Shaji, P.M.A. Salam, M.P. Abdussamad Samadani, P.K.K. Bava, P.V. Abdul Wahab, and T.A. Ahamed Kabeer.
The IUML secretariat met at Mr. Thangal's house with a large group of party supporters waiting outside. They corralled every leader who came out of the meeting. Mr. Kunhalikutty came to address the media only after pacifying the party workers, saying that they would not be disappointed.
