M.P. Abdussamad Samadani, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) national vice president, won the 2021 Lok Sabha bypoll from Malappuram after P.K. Kunhalikutty, the incumbent MP, vacated the seat to contest the Assembly election from Vengara. Amid speculation about the IUML planning to field him from Ponnani, now represented by E.T. Mohammed Basheer, Mr. Samadani speaks to The Hindu about his tenure in Parliament.
You got less than three years as an MP. Which were the major works taken up during the period?
I could effectively intervene with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation twice to stall its decision to shorten the existing runway to expand the runway end-safety area (RESA) at the Calicut International Airport. The decision had created panic among the stakeholders as it could have reduced the airport to a ‘wayside shop’. Due to my humble efforts, the airport was saved from such a calamity. The State government started land acquisition for RESA expansion after I raised it in the Lok Sabha. Another crisis came when the State, citing financial constraints, expressed its inability to allocate funds for earth filling for the RESA work. I could pressure the Centre to take over that responsibility. Also, almost all major issues related to national highway development were addressed.
