Woman Muslim League leader tenders apology for praising BJP

MALAPPURAM: The state president of Vanitha League, the women's wing of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), Khamarunnisa Anwar, who was caught in controversy after speaking in support of BJP, tendered apology to the party leadership on Friday.The apology letter along with the clarification regarding the statement was submitted to the state president of Muslim League Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal. The state general secretary of the party KPA Majeed has informed that the party has accepted the apology as the explanation in the letter is satisfactory.It was on Thursday that Khamarunnisa, who is also chairperson of state social welfare board, spoke in support of BJP, after handing over her contribution of Rs 2000 to the BJP’s party development fund, to the local BJP leaders in Tirur, her home town. “ BJP is fast growing in Kerala and outside. I wish BJP will be able to do good works for the development of the state and the people”, she said. As the statement of Khamarunnisa triggered controversy the party leaders including P K Kunhalikkutty came up against the woman leader. The party leader in assembly M K Muneer had said that the party would seek explanation for the woman leader.In her apology letter Khamarunnisa says that the news regarding her statement in connection with the fund collection of BJP were misleading. “It is very common that the representatives of different parties are approaching us as part of their fund raising programmes. I never thought that the visit of BJP’s local leaders at my home for fund collection will become a topic of news debate ”, she said in the letter. But, at the same time she admits that her statement about the BJP after the function was a slip of tongue and she deeply regrets for causing inconvenience to the party by her remarks.Khamarunnisa had earlier courted controversy by openly criticing the party for not fielding women candidates in the election. Last year, during a convention of youth wing of the party at Kozhikode, Khamarunnisa was stopped by senior leaders of the party from making a public speech saying that women do not address public gathering of men, in the party.