Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) rebel Kunnath Mohammed will contest the April 9 assembly elections from Mankada as an independent candidate backed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF). He will face IUML’s Manjalamkuzhi Ali, who is seeking a sixth term.
Although the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) had initially announced MP Alavi as its candidate in Mankada, Political Bureau member A. Vijayaraghavan on Monday confirmed the party’s decision to withdraw Mr Alavi and extend its support to Mr Muhammad.
Mr. Vijayaraghavan pointed out that Mr. Mohammed, a former IUML leader with significant local influence, could help the CPI(M) win back Mankada, which it lost to the IUML in 2011.
Kicked out of IUML
Mr Mohammed, who served as IUML Mankada constituency president, said he was expelled from the party without valid reason after opposing the decision to field Mr Ali again.
Mr Alavi, a senior local leader of the CPI(M), withdrew his nomination, saying the party would use the opportunity to confront Mr Ali, whom he accused of betraying the party in 2010. “Our aim is to defeat Mr Ali. We are supporting Mr Mohammed, who has considerable influence in the area. Mr Ali has betrayed us and it is time for revenge,” he said.
Elected as an LDF-backed Independent in 2001 and 2006, Mr. Ali initially took Mankada from the IUML using his personal influence. Composed of Koottilangadi, Mankada, Makkaraparamba, Kuruva, Puzhakkattiri, Angadipuram and Moorkanad panchayats, Mankada was an IUML stronghold represented by leaders like CH Mohammed Koya (1967), Korambayil Ahamed Haji (1977) and 1980 Maje (1980 Maj).
Mr. Ali ended Mr. Majeed’s winning streak in 2001 with a narrow victory of 3,058 votes and reinforced his dominance by defeating prominent IUML candidate MK Muneer in 2006 by 5,073 votes.
Supporter VS
Mr Ali, a supporter of former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, later parted ways with the CPI(M), resigning in 2010 and joining the IUML. In 2011, Mr. Ali not only defeated the CPI(M) in Perinthalmanna, but helped the IUML win Perinthalmanna as well, getting a ministerial post in a controversial arrangement. He was re-elected from Perinthalmann in 2016 and Mankada in 2021.
IUML again nominated Mr. Ali for Mankada, recognizing his influence and winning potential. However, the decision upset the traditional IUML Kunnath family, prompting Mr. Mohammed to challenge Mr. Ali with LDF support.
Published – 23 March 2026 21:05 IST
