Crisis in IUML: Panakkad family and PK Kunhalikutty fight for supremacy

IUML had convened a meeting following Mueen Ali's allegations and it was reported that Kunhalikutty was completely isolated in the meeting. However, the leadership managed to pacify Mueen Ali to scale down the crisis to some extent. The latest Facebook post from Mueen Ali, indicates a ceasefire possibility.

Kozhikode: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second-largest constituent in the United Democratic Front (UDF) led by Congress, is facing a crisis. The present crisis is not just political but transcends into the religious fundamentals of the party itself.

The younger generation of Panakkad Kodappanakkal house, which has always been the abode of power of the Indian Union Muslim League, has come out strongly against the way the party has been led by a few individuals with the present MLA PK Kunhalikutty enjoying unrivalled supremacy in the party and in managing its funds. Mueen Ali Shihab Thangal, son of the current state president of IUML, Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal, opened up a can of worms against PK Kunhalikutty, accusing him of fund misappropriation and using the party for his personal gains.

The IUML never had a problem of this magnitude, though voices of dissent did arise many times in the party. However, a high tea around a table was enough to settle such rebel voices and the leaders continued to lead the party as per their conviction.

However, the voice of dissent, that too in a press conference held at League House, party's headquarters in Kozhikode, from the young member of the Palakkad family was a jolt from the blue for IUML. Palakkad family is not just the political headquarters of IUML but is also considered a family that leads the Muslim community in Kerala.

Mueen Ali's reactions came after the Enforcement Directorate officials entered the Panakkad house to interrogate Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal in a money laundering case at the party's official newspaper Chandrika. Mueen Ali's was also an emotional outburst, though planned over a period of time with a growing difference of opinion over the way Kunhalikutty was hijacking the party. He had said his father is ailing due to the mental trauma resulting from the investigation. He pointed his fingers at Kunhalikutty and said all the fund misappropriation and money laundering had been done by Kunhalikutty and not his father.

For the first time in the history of IUML, a league worker barged into the press conference and shouted expletives at Mueen Ali, accusing him of playing into the hands of political opposition.

Soon after many league leaders echoed the same sentiments, alleging that it was CPM behind these controversies.

In the Assembly, KT Jaleel, a former IUML leader who won two terms consecutively as a CPM independent after rebelling out against PK Kunhalikutty and the party, kick-started the tirade against PK Kunhalikutty accusing him of money laundering using Hyderali Shihab Thangal as a cover. A verbal duel of sorts ensued between Kunhalikutty and KT Jaleel both inside the assembly and outside.

It was after Jaleel's accusation that Mueen Ali came into a press conference held by Chandrika daily's legal adviser and raised all the allegations against Kunhalikutty.

Mueen Ali had always raised his voice against the wrongdoings in the party. He raised his objection when Kunhalikutty resigned his Member of Parliament post to contest in the Assembly elections. He also registered his opposition when PV Abdul Wahab was elected as the Rajya Sabha MP who did not utter a word when the triple talaq bill was taken up for discussion.

Evidently, he was awaiting a right moment to raise these objections publicly and to represent the voices of many other party cadres who are not happy with the supremacy and leadership of Kunhalikutty.

IUML had convened a meeting following Mueen Ali's allegations and it was reported that Kunhalikutty was completely isolated in the meeting. However, the leadership managed to pacify Mueen Ali and scaled down the crisis to some extent. The latest Facebook post from Mueen Ali, indicates a ceasefire possibility.

However, the crisis is far from over when ED continues to dig out more details and walk in and out of the Panakkad house at will. A large group of party cadres who are unhappy with the present developments are all likely to rebel out against Kunhalikutty, and Mueen Ali along with his siblings may be joining hands with them.