Don't want third seat to Lok Sabha; understanding in Muslim League to ask for Rajya Sabha seat

MALAPPURAM: The Muslim League has decided to raise the demand for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat instead of a third seat in the Lok Sabha in the UDF meeting to be held on February 14th. The decision was taken in an informal discussion held by Muslim League state president Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal with senior leaders.

The League would point out that earlier it had two Rajya Sabha seats and one was given to the Congress. The League is eyeing one of the three Rajya Sabha seats that will fall vacant from Kerala in July this year. The UDF will get this seat based on party status. Last time, the seat was given to Jose K Mani of the Kerala Congress (M).

Earlier, the League was of the stance that it wants a third seat in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. It had demanded either Kannur or Vadakara. It was also eyeing in Wayanad if Rahul Gandhi would not contest from there. The Congress leadership, which has accepted that the League is entitled to the third seat, has expressed its difficulty in giving up the sitting seat. The League leadership, which usually retreats citing the unity of the front, again raised the demand for a third seat to put pressure on the Congress and other constituent parties of the UDF for the Rajya Sabha seat.

Dissatisfaction among youth leaders
Meanwhile, young leaders within the Muslim League are strongly raising the demand for a third seat, pointing out that senior leaders are contesting in both the seats of the party. The National Executive Meeting of the Youth League held in Delhi also passed the resolution. Young leaders have criticized within the party that the inability to win the rightful seat is the fault of the leadership.