Kerala Assembly Polls 2026: Karat Razak returns to IUML, vows to make up for 10 years’ loss

Karat Razak, a former Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader who had broken ranks in 2016 to contest as an Independent from Koduvally with the support of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), formally rejoined the party on Sunday.

Mr. Razak renewed his membership after being received by IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal at his residence at Panakkad. “I feel like returning home,” he said. Recalling his past, he said the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] had left him stranded after his 2016 victory from Koduvally as an Independent MLA, and he confirmed that he would abandon all positions offered by the LDF.

Reason for change

Once a loyal IUML leader, Mr. Razak had turned away from the party after being denied an Assembly ticket in 2011 and 2016. He narrowly won Koduvally in 2016 with LDF support but lost to the IUML’s M.K. Muneer in 2021 and has since maintained a distance from the CPI(M).

“I have not raised any conditions. I trust the Muslim League and its leaders like Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, P.K. Kunhalikutty, and M.K. Muneer. I will work harder for the party and make up for the losses of the past decade,” he said.

IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty said that it was Mr. Muneer and P.K. Firoz, Muslim Youth League State general secretary and current Koduvally candidate of the party, who took the initiative to bring Mr. Razak back.

‘Reverse flow’

“The flow of leaders is now reversing. Earlier, the CPI(M) courted disheartened UDF leaders, but now the trend is the other way,” Mr. Kunhalikutty said. He added that Mr. Razak’s return would strengthen IUML’s prospects in Koduvally and neighbouring Kunnamangalam.

Mr. Muneer expressed satisfaction at seeing Mr. Razak back in the party, despite having contested against him in 2021. “I fought Manjalamkuzhi Ali, and now he is back in the party,” he said.