The interchanging of Ponnani and Malappuram constituencies by their sitting MPs when the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) announced its candidates did not spring any surprise on the party watchers on Wednesday.
It was an expected move. E.T. Mohammed Basheer, sitting MP of Ponnani, had reportedly asked for a transfer to Malappuram. After representing Ponnani consecutively for three terms since 2009, Mr. Basheer has chosen to move to Malappuram, which covers his native village Vazhakkad.
Neither the IUML nor Mr. Basheer has put forth any reason for the switching of the constituencies. Party sources said that Mr. Basheer preferred Malappuram as it is his home constituency, and the IUML leadership was happy to oblige the senior leader.