Kerala assembly elections: Many young faces among 10 newcomers in IUML list

KOZHIKODE: On Tuesday, IUML, the secondlargest constituent in UDF, announced its first list of 25 candidates for the upcoming assembly elections, springing a few surprises by fielding two women for the first time in its history and including a significant number of young faces.

The list had 10 newcomers.In a historic first, IUML named two women candidates: party national assistant secretary Jayanthi Rajan from Koothuparamba and former Haritha leader and Kozhikode Corporation councillor Fathima Thahiliya from Perambra. Notably, Rajan will contest in a general constituency. Six MLAs, including former minister M K Muneer, were dropped, while nine sitting MLAs will seek re-election.

The candidates for the remaining two seats, Punalur and Chelakkara, will be announced soon. The party will take a final call on whether it will name candidates in Punalur or Chadayamangalam. IUML leaders said Muneer was not fielded this time due to ill health. IUML national general secretary P K Kunhalikutty, who entered electoral politics at 27, will contest his 10th assembly election from Malappuram after shifting from Vengara.

IUML state secretary K M Shaji will contest from Vengara, said leaders.IUML state president Panakkad Sadikali Shihab Thangal said all candidates were finalized based on inputs collected from each constituency and after detailed discussions. This time, Thangal personally led the consultations for candidate selection.IUML dropped MK Muneer (Koduvally), N A Nellikkunnu (Kasaragod), advocate U A Latheef (Manjeri), P Ubaidulla (Malappuram), KPA Majeed (Tirurangadi) and P Abdul Hameed (Vallikkunnu).

P K Basheer is contesting for the fourth time, while N Samsudheen, Abid Hussain Thangal, and T V Ibrahim are contesting for the third time.These are IUML candidates and their constituencies are: AKM Ashraf (Manjeshwar), Kallatra Mayin Haji (Kasaragod), Kareem Cheleri (Azhikode), Jayanthi Rajan (Koothuparamba), Parakkal Abdulla (Kuttiady), Fathima Thahiliya (Perambra), Kassim Koodaranji (Thiruvambady), P K Firos (Koduvally), MA Razak (Kunnamangalam), Faizal Babu (Kozhikode South), T V Ibrahim (Vallikunnu), T P Ashraf Ali (Kondotty), advocate Rahmathulla (Manjeri), P K Basheer (Ernad), P K Kunhalikutty (Malappuram), Manjalamkuzhi Ali (Mankada), Najeeb Kanthapuram (Perinthalmanna), K M Shaji (Vengara), Abid Hussain Thangal (Kottakkal), Kurukkoli Moideen (Tirur), P K Navas (Tanur), PMA Sameer (Tirurangadi), N Samsudheen (Mannarkkad) C H Rasheed (Guruvayur) and V E Abdul Gaforr (Kalamassery).