Tirunelveli District General Meeting of the Indian Union Muslim League IUML Interview 02 Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) (Malayalam: ഇന്ത്യൻ യൂണിയൻ മുസ്ലിം ലീഗ്; Urdu: انڈین یونین مسلم لیگ) (commonly referred as the League) is a political party in India. It is recognised by the Election Commission of India as a State Party in Kerala. Though League is a powerful pro-Muslim community oriented party, it has decided to remain their allegiance to India after independence, when the original Muslim League went to Pakistan. The party has strongholds mostly in northern Kerala. They form the second largest party within present ruling coalition UDF. The current president of Kerala state unit of Indian Union Muslim League is Panakkad Sayed Hyderali Shihab Thangal. The Indian Union Muslim League was formed in Chennai on 10 March 1948. The IUML has been represented in Parliament right from 1952 to present day. In Kerala it has the led the cabinet once under the late C.H. Mohammed who became the Chief Minister of Kerala in 1979. In alliance with Indian National Congress and other secular parties Muslim League has been doing its best under the banner of United Democratic Front. In Kerala under the leadership of Syed Abdurahiman Bafakhy Thangal, K.M. Seethi Sahib; Panakkad P.M.S.A Pookoya Thangal and Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal it has become a main political player. The party in Kerala has had cabinet positions at various times in coalition Governments, holding portfolios like Education, Home, Industries, Public works, Local administration, Social welfare, Fisheries etc. During the beginning of seventies IUML had ministers in West Bengal also. Leading a contingent of seven MLAs in state assembly late A.K.A. Hassanussaman was the league representative in Ajoy Mukherjee ministry. The party had representation in various legislative assemblies at various times. Apart from Kerala and West Bengal, IUML had MLAs in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Maharastra, Karanataka, UP, and Assam and there were members in Delhi Metropolitan Council and Mayors in various Municipal Corporations. The dawn of the new century has witnessed the ascendance of the IUML in national political scenario. As a constituent of United Progressive Alliance, IUML could muster the support of the minorities and other backward communities for UPA. IUML has representation in UPA Government since 2004. Mr. E. Ahamed who became the president of IUML following the demise of G. M. Banatwala, is the Minister of State for Railways since 2009. He was the Minister of State for External Affairs in the first UPA government (2004--2009). The party participated in the ouster of the first Communist Party of India (CPI) government in Kerala in 1959. In 1960 the party took part in the formation of a coalition government in the state, consisting of the Indian National Congress, Praja Socialist Party and IUML. The government proved short lived. In the elections in Kerala in 1967 the party had entered a united front led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)). The other members of the front were Communist Party of India, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Karshaka Thozhilali Party (Peasants and Workers Party), Kerala Socialist Party and Samyukta Socialist Party. Muslim League had two ministers in the state government of that front. In 1969 the party left the CPI(M)-led government and participated in the formation of a new government, led by Communist Party of India leader Achutha Menon as Chief Minister, together with CPI, RSP, KSP and Kerala Congress. After the 1970 elections Achyutha Menon became elected Chief Minister for the second time. Members of the governing coalition were Indian National Congress, IUML, RSP and PSP. The Menon government lasted until the downfall of the Indira Gandhi regime in 1977 (no state elections were held in this period). In the chaos that followed the IUML leader C.H. Mohammed Koya held the post of Chief Minister in 1979.

• published: 01 Dec 2013
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