MALAPPURAM: It was an unexpected move by a section of the Muslim League that put Muslim League state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal under pressure and led to the resignation of Abdul Hakeem Faizi Adriseri from the post of general secretary of Coordination of Islamic Colleges (CIC).

Sadiq Ali Thangal, who is also the CIC president, was not ready to accept Samastha's demand to expel Hakeem Faizi. Sadiq Ali Thangal had protected Hakeem Faizi as Faizi was the mastermind behind bringing the religious education systems under the CIC. He had also ignored Samastha's warning not to participate in venues with Hakeem Faizi. However, PK Kunhalikutty's public
statement that neither the Muslim League nor the Panakkad family will reject the decision of Samastha was of great support for Samastha. It also created an impression that there was a difference of opinion within the party. With this, Sadiq Ali Thangal urgently summoned Hakeem Faizi to Panakkad and demanded his resignation.

Abid Hussain Thangal MLA also participated in the two-hour-long discussion along with PK Kunhalikutty. With the organization election coming up in the Muslim League, it is alleged that both Kunhalikutty and Abid Hussain made the moves aiming at the favour of Samastha and the position of the state general secretary. Dissatisfied with this, Sadiq Ali Thangal offered to resign from the post of CIC president. However, the Samastha leadership persuaded him not to do so.