IUML fields Ahamed, Basheer again

Minister of State for External Affairs E.Ahamed and his Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) colleague E.T.Mohammed Basheer were Monday renominated to contest the upcoming Lok Sabha polls from their respective seats in Kerala.

IUML is the second-biggest constituent of the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front and the party has been given two seats, of the state's 20, to contest. Barring 2004 - when they lost one - they have always won both the seats.

Ahamed, 75, is an old warhorse of the IUML. A state legislator from 1967 to 1991, he has contested and won every Lok Sabha election since then.

Even though there were rumblings in his party on renominating him, the party leadership prevailed upon his detractors and gave him the nod to contest again from Malappuram, the citadel of the IUML.

Basheer, 67, a former state minister and a legislator for many years, is also a popular face in the party and known for his mild manners and soft-spoken approach. His renomination did not have any problems and was asked to contest again from Ponnani in Malappuram district.

In a related development, the Socialist Janata (Democratic) party led by media baron M.P.Veerendra Kumar announced in Thiruvananthapuram that his party, also part of the UDF, has been alloted the Palakkad seat and they have decided to accept it even thought they preferred either Vadakkara or Wayanand.