Kerala Assembly polls: IUML State secretary Randathani slams Tirurangadi pick, says deserving voices ignored

A controversy broke out within the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) after Kerala State Secretary Abdurahiman Randathani publicly objected to the party leadership’s decision to field PMA Sameer in Tiurangadi constituency for the April 9 Assembly elections in the state.

IUML’s candidate list for 25 constituencies was announced by State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal on Tuesday evening, March 17, 2026. Mr Sameer was nominated from Tiurangadi, a seat vacated by senior leader KPA Majeed. Mr. Sameer, a company secretary by profession, is not seen as having risen through the party ranks.

Shortly after the announcement, Mr. Randathani harshly criticized the decision on Facebook. He also praised the selection of Muslim Youth League leaders like PK Firoz, Faisal Babu, TP Ashraf Ali and PK Nawas.

He also praised KM Shaji’s candidacy in Vengara and noted that Mr. Shaji had won twice and lost twice against the Left with a similar political trajectory to his own.

Mr Randathani, in his post, argued that Mr Sameer was a relatively new face who had been “imposed” on Tirurangadi, a constituency once represented by stalwarts like AK Antony, Avukadar Kutty Naha and UA Beeran, which had overlooked “a few deserving” candidates.

He also stated that neither the party workers, nor the local panchayat nor the municipal committees had requested Mr. Sameer’s candidature. He alleged that the decision was taken by vested interests and “innocent Thangals” in Panakkad were used as “tools”.

‘Not undisciplined’

Mr Randathani argued that questioning such decisions should not be seen as “indiscipline”. According to him, it is natural for “dedicated party workers who do not expect any personal reward” to voice their concerns.

In a pointed remark to the leadership, which includes Mr Thangal and IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty, Mr Randathani said no one should consider themselves beyond criticism, recalling that “even Caliphs are questioned while on the dais”.

Meanwhile, discontent also emerged in the Vanitha League, the women’s wing of the party. Vanitha League leader Noorbeena Rasheed criticized the party’s decision to field Fatima Thahiliya in Perambra, claiming it “denies her rightful representation” in the Vanitha League. Ms. Rasheed, who unsuccessfully contested the 2021 polls against Indian National League’s Ahamed Devarkovil in Kozhikode South, called the move “unfair”.

Amid growing internal opposition, speculation is rife that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) may consider fielding Mr Randathani as an Independent candidate in Tirur or Tanur.

Meanwhile, Sports, Endowment and Haj Minister V. Abdurahiman, who defeated Mr. Randathani in Tanur in 2016 and PK Firoz as an LDF-backed Independent in 2021, is yet to launch his campaign in the constituency.

Mr Randathani refused to respond to this speculation.

Responding to the unrest, Mr Thangal said it was “natural for some candidates to be disappointed”. He said he would listen to them and solve their problems.