Aryadan Mohammed skippered the Congress in Malappuram district for about half-a-century and dared many a time to take on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). Although the IUML was a prominent partner of the Congress within the United Democratic Front (UDF), Aryadan cared the least for the League’s one-upmanship in Malappuram.
He represented the secular face of the Congress even at times challenging the IUML’s religious-centric politics. He showed no qualms in branding some IUML leaders as communal. He blatantly dismissed the spiritual hegemony of the Syed Shihab Thangal family of Panakkad, causing heartburns to many in the IUML and evoking criticism from even the party leadership. But he never cared.
Yet, Aryadan maintained cordial relations with most leaders of the IUML. He was careful to stay away from controversies after his term ended as a Minister and MLA in 2016.
