Having crossed IUML hurdle, pressure on Congress to announce LS candidates at the earliest
The Hindu
IUML drops demand for third Lok Sabha seat, putting UDF on campaign footing, Congress faces candidate selection pressure.
The Indian Union Muslim League’s (IUML) decision to drop its strident demand for a third Lok Sabha seat has put the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) on a campaign footing.
By agreeing to accept a Rajya Sabha berth in return, the IUML has inadvertently put pressure on the Congress leadership to finalise its candidate list fast.
The Congress is contesting in 16 Lok Sabha seats. It has accorded Malappuram and Ponnani to the IUML, Kottayam to Kerala Congress (Joseph) and Kollam to the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP).
By some accounts, the Congress appeared inclined to short-circuit the candidate selection process by fielding incumbent MPs.
With the LS polls at its doorstep, Congress seemed unwilling to risk a shambolic, contentious and protracted candidate selection process.
However, the oddity that none of the Congress’s incumbent MPs hail from the Muslim community reportedly weighs on the party leadership.
In stark contrast, the Communist Party India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has four members from the minority community, a crucial electoral bloc, contesting on the party ticket.