Lok Sabha elections: League focus on Ponnani

Malappuram: As Lok Sabha elections approach, unofficial talks on candidates also have begun in Muslim League. The top officials' meeting held the other day at Panakkad had decided to set the party ready for the election. As part of it, workers’ convention will be held on 4th July. Tirur, which falls within Ponnani parliamentary constituency, is the venue for the convention.

Opinions have been sought from local units about candidates in sitting seats. Fixing candidate in Ponnani constituency will be a challenge for the party.

The high-level meeting has decided to devise plans to retain Malappuram and Ponnani constituencies. As of now, Malappuram is the safest constituency for UDF.

However, leaders and cadres share anxiety regarding Ponnani. Hence, the party is focusing on the constituency. The party foresees a possibility of losing the constituency unless it proceeds cautiously. On the other hand, CPM is all set for a good fight.

Previously, Muslim League had been winning in Ponnani Constituency with a majority of more than one lakh votes. The margin was retained even after the constituency was restructured in 2009.

However, in 2014 elections, ET Mohammed Basheer's majority was 25,410 votes. The lead again dropped to 1,071 votes in the legislative assembly elections. Though League expects a shift in the trends by 2019, some among the party propose fielding a different candidate.

A section of the party still holds the view that ET Mohammed Basheer should be retained as he sustained the challenge two times even after CPM fielded independent candidates.

Local cadres of Ponnani have raised the need to field PK Kunhalikutty in the constituency. Former Rajya Sabha MP Abdussamad Samadani's name is also under discussion.

As usual, Youth League has refreshed their demand for youth representation.