Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Kunhalikutty files nomination in Malappuram

PK Kunhalikutty, national general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), on Saturday filed his nomination as the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate from Malappuram for the April 9 Assembly elections. He submitted his candidacy to the District Labor Officer here.

He started the day by visiting his father Pandikadavathu Muhammad Haji’s grave in Oorakam and praying and then sought the prayers of his elder brother PK Haidru Haji.

Before leaving for Malappuram, Mr. Kunhalikutty paid tributes at the graves of former IUML leaders Syed Pookoya Thangal, Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, Syed Umerali Shihab Thangal and Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal in Panakkad.

He also visited IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal at his residence in Panakkad before leaving for Malappuram in a convoy.

He was accompanied by IUML constituency president Syed Rasheedali Shihab Thangal, MLAs P. Abdul Hameed and P. Ubaidullah, UDF constituency president PC Velayudhankutty, convener PA Salam and other leaders Arimbra Aboobacker, Noushad Mannissery, MK Muhsin and Mujeeb Kaderi.

In a rare example of communal harmony and secularism, Mr Kunhalikutty’s election deposit was given jointly by three people representing different communities.

These were Medan Ahamed, who first provided Mr. Kunhalikutty’s deposit when he contested the Malappuram municipal elections in 1980; Fr. Sebastian Chembukandathil, pastor of Fatima Mata Church in Oorakam; and KP Vilasini, widow of former freedom fighter Parappurath Sukumaran Nair.