Manjeshwaram constituency a prestige issue: Do or die for Muslim League

The arrest of Manjeshwaram MLA Kamaruddin in the Fashion Gold investment scam has left a scar in the otherwise strong Muslim League fort. Kamaruddin's arrest has also affected the Muslim League’s strength here. The equations within the language minorities and the ‘region’ fervour has always influenced the candidate selection in the Manjeshwaram constituency. Considering these aspects, a popular and young leader from the constituency A.K.M Ashraf would be given priority in candidate selection.

Kasaragod: Kerala, which has no precedence of elected legislators being arrested and jailed after being accused of criminal offences, saw one such case recently, involving Manjeshwaram MLA Kamaruddin. The Fashion Gold investment scam in which Muslim League MLA Kamaruddin was accused and arrested left a scar in the otherwise strong Muslim League fort.

As the State is about to witness another Assembly election, Kamaruddin’s candidature becomes a major discussion in the Manjeshwaram constituency. In 2016, P B Abdul Razak had won the seat at a margin of 89 votes. Later, following Razak’s death, M C Kamaruddin presented a scintillating victory with a whopping 7900 votes majority in the by-election.

Meanwhile, Kamaruddin being accused and jailed for his alleged involvement in the Fashion Gold investment scam has affected the Muslim League’s strength here. The party considers the win on this seat as a prestige issue. Kamaruddin’s candidature on the League ticket is not sure this time.

As a person from outside the constituency, Kamaruddin being given candidature was not welcome in many quarters within the league in the regional centres even during the by-elections.

The equations within the language minorities and the ‘region’ fervour has always influenced the candidate selection in the Manjeshwaram constituency. Considering these aspects, a popular and young leader from the constituency A.K.M Ashraf would be given priority in candidate selection.

A.K.M Ashraf is a Youth League leader and has formerly held positions like president Manjeshwaram Block Panchayath and District Panchayath member. However, in the recent civic body polls, the Muslim League was tarnished in the ward, panchayat and block panchayats where Ashraf lives. The tiffs with Ashraf contributing to the failure in Vorkkadi and Meenja Panchayaths would also be considered during candidate selection.

In the previous by-election, the candidate selection meetings were disrupted and ruffled up demanding to allocate the seat to Ashraf. The declaration after deciding on the candidate had to be postponed after the chaos. The action initiated by the party then would also be a set back for Ashraf this time.

Presently, Kasaragod Muslim League District Secretary P.M. Muneer Haji is being considered, it is hinted. Muneer Haji’s name was considered during the by-election also.

The family roots of Muneer Haji, who lives in Mogral Puthur in Kasaragod, is in Manjeshwaram.

Besides, Muneer Haji is also widely accepted as he was in charge of the constituency right from

the time P B Abdul Razak contested from the constituency.

If the party leadership considers the workers’ emotions, Muneer HAji is likely to be selected as the candidate.

Talks are also there that Muslim League District Treasurer Kallada Mahin Haji is also being considered for the Manjeshwaram seat.