A perceptibly grumpy Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) appeared to be tightening the screws on Congress for an extra seat in the Lok Sabha elections. A crucial meeting of the United Democratic Front (UDF) coordination committee in Kochi on February 25 will weigh the thorny issue.
Given the shifting demographics and demands of national politics wrought by the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre, the IUML seems keen on foraying out of its traditional Malappuram and Ponnani Lok Sabha seats for more electoral territory. So far, the Congress has appeared outwardly disinclined to entertain the IUML’s demand. For several months, that Congress had played a game of procrastination, hoping that the IUML’s quest for more electoral leverage in the UDF would play itself out.
The Congress reportedly does not want to exude the image of a waning power in the UDF by appearing to yield more political ground to the IUML. The party’s wariness about potentially altering the power equations in the Opposition alliance has tested the IUML’s patience.
