Congress Forms Unofficial Alliance with Left Against Muslim League in Malappuram’s Ponmundam
In a significant political development in Ponmundam, Malappuram, the Congress party is reportedly preparing to forge an unofficial alliance with Left parties to contest against the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in the upcoming local self-government elections. This “Janakeeya Sakhyam” (Popular Alliance) aims to challenge the incumbent Muslim League, with candidates likely to contest under independent symbols.
The Congress Mandalam Committee is actively campaigning against the ruling Muslim League in the panchayat, organizing a march under the banner “Nava Ponmundam Nirmithi” (New Ponmundam Creation). The Muslim League has expressed strong reservations about this emerging coalition, alleging that the Congress district leadership is facilitating the move. They have also warned of potential repercussions for Congress in various other constituencies across Malappuram.
Historically, the relationship between the Muslim League and Congress in Ponmundam has been devoid of cordiality since the panchayat’s inception. Under the current understanding of the unofficial alliance, Congress is expected to field candidates in 11 out of 18 seats. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) plans to contest five seats, while the remaining two will be allocated to “Team Ponmundam,” an independent collective.
P.M.A. Salam, the State General Secretary of the Muslim League, conveyed his dissatisfaction regarding the situation. “Our consistent position is that elections in all local self-government institutions should be contested as a united UDF front. What is unfolding in Ponmundam is indeed unfortunate,” Salam stated. He further explained that local-level discussions to resolve the matter did not yield any solution. “We have communicated our concerns to the Congress leadership and remain hopeful that the issue will be settled before the formal announcement of the elections,” he told The New Indian Express.
Conversely, the CPM leadership appears confident in its approach, welcoming support from any segment of the electorate disillusioned with the United Democratic Front (UDF). V.P. Anil, the CPM District Secretary, clarified, “While we do not have an official alliance with the Congress in Ponmundam, a considerable number of Congress workers have now placed their trust in the CPM. We are open to accepting their votes.”
The Muslim League, a pivotal constituent of the United Democratic Front, is strategically aiming to secure a larger share of seats across the state in the forthcoming local body elections. The party leadership believes that a favorable outcome in these local self-government polls will bolster the UDF’s overall strength in anticipation of the crucial 2026 Assembly elections.