Kerala assembly polls: Let parties select its candidates, says Jifri Muthukoya Thangal

Kozhikode: Samastha president Syed Jifri Muthukoya Thangal said decisions on candidate selection in each election should be left to respective party leaderships. His remarks came amid a controversy triggered by Samastha mushavara member Ummer Faizi Mukkam, who criticized IUML for fielding women candidates in general seats.Thangal cautioned that responsible individuals should avoid statements that could lead to unnecessary debates. "Candidate selection is the prerogative of political parties and they must evaluate the pros and cons. The perspectives of religion and political parties may differ on such matters," he said. Faizi had said that Samastha had earlier granted permission to IUML to field women in reserved seats, referring to women's quota in LSG election and argued that there was no need to field women candidates in general seats. Samastha Yuvajana Sangham leader Nazar Faizi Koodathayi countered his view saying that current circumstances make it necessary for Muslim women to contest in general seats."Several compelling factors must be considered – questions around secularism, the party's image in society and the possibility of adverse polarization among women and the general public if they are excluded. In this context, the statement by Jifri Thangal that IUML can consider women in general seats remains relevant," he said.In a tacit criticism of Faizi, who has been considered close to CPM, Koodathayi said that claiming political neutrality while directing statements, suggestions and criticism only at IUML reflects political bias.