IUML hasn’t backed any Cong neta for CM post: Muneer

Kochi: Senior leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), M K Muneer, on Saturday said that the party has not backed any Congress leader for the chief minister's post and that IUML state president Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal had not named anyone when speaking about the issue.Addressing the media, Muneer said Thangal had only pointed out that the decision on the chief ministerial candidate rests with the Congress high command. "He did not say anything about the chief minister candidate. He said the decision has to be made by their high command," Muneer said. He added that UDF has full confidence that the final decision will be unanimous and accepted by all constituents.He said Congress has capable leadership and a decision could be taken without delay after the election results are announced on May 4. His remarks came amid interpretations in some quarters that Thangal's reference to Congress leader VD Satheesan's role in leading UDF during the assembly election amounted to an endorsement of his candidature. Muneer said that IUML has not expressed any preference.Muneer also alleged that a narrative was being deliberately constructed in the state to create apprehension about IUML's role in a potential UDF govt. There is a phobia being manufactured to suggest that the should not be given any responsibility, he said. "They want IUML not to handle anything. They claim that if IUML gets the Home portfolio, riots will happen. They claim that if the Education portfolio is given to IUML, only Muslim schools will get permissions. The govt will be a shadow of Jamaat-e-Islami," he said.Muneer said such narratives were aimed at creating fear among the public and deepening divisions. He further said that even the party's silence is being misinterpreted. "If IUML remains silent, a conspiracy will be alleged behind it. This is an attempt to make IUML part of a larger hate politics. The attempt is to link IUML with the hate politics prevalent across the country," he further said.Rejecting claims of minority consolidation, Muneer argued that the assembly election reflected a consolidation of secular votes. "The sentiments of secular voters have been hurt. They do not agree with those who spread communal venom, and the results will reflect that," he said.