Malappuram (Kerala), March 17 The IUML, a key constituent of the UDF, announced its list of 25 candidates on Tuesday, including several incumbent MLAs, as well as some new names, for the upcoming assembly elections in Kerala on April 9.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) supremo Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal and other party leaders announced the list at a press conference held here in the evening. The list includes two women and does not feature the name of M K Muneer, a senior party leader, incumbent MLA, and former state minister.
Thangal said that the names for the remaining two seats – Chelakkara and Punalur or Chadayamangalam – will be announced in the next couple of days.
He said that a decision needs to be made regarding whether IUML will contest from Punalur or Chadayamangalam.
The list of 25 candidates includes incumbent MLAs P K Kunhalikutty from Malappuram, A K M Ashraf from Manjeshwar, N Samsudheen from Mannarkkad, Najeeb Kanthapuram from Perinthalmanna, and Manjalamkuzhi Ali from Mankada.
The newcomers include P K Navaz from Tanur, Jayanthi Rajan from Kuthuparamba, K M Shaji from Vengara, and Fathima Thahiliya from Perambra.
Thangal said that preference has been given to young candidates among the newcomers in the list.
He also said that the party's state general secretary P M A Salam has indicated his unwillingness to contest in the elections.