Samastha Warns UDF Against Alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami
Samastha has issued a stern warning regarding a potential alliance between the Welfare Party and the United Democratic Front (UDF). “Do not associate with Jamaat-e-Islami; if an alliance is formed, they will destroy everything,” stated Umar Faizi Mukkam, a prominent member of Samastha Mushavara. He emphasized the need to resist their attempts to infiltrate politics and advised maintaining distance from Jamaat-e-Islami. This public criticism was voiced at an event attended by Panakkad Sadiqali Thangal. Although no open alliance has been declared, indications of a UDF-Welfare Party connection have already emerged. A poster showing Congress support for Welfare Party candidate Sara Koodaram, contesting from Kanakkaparamba in Mukkam Municipality, has circulated on social media.
Earlier, the UDF had decided against a direct, state-level alliance with the Welfare Party of India, the political wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, fearing opposition from Hindu and Christian voters in the local body elections. Nevertheless, candidate nominations have already surfaced, underscoring the possibility of a local-level understanding between the UDF and the Welfare Party.
DCC President K. Praveen Kumar had stated that seat allocation would only occur among constituent parties of the UDF. When asked if the Muslim League was taken into confidence regarding this decision, he affirmed that it was the opinion of all UDF constituent parties. He further clarified that the Congress in Kozhikode is not a separate entity, and therefore, the party’s decisions are uniform across all parts of the state.
Meanwhile, PMA Salam, the State General Secretary of the Muslim League, revealed that the UDF local leadership has been instructed to establish ties with the Welfare Party wherever it benefits the front.
“There is no official state-level alliance between the UDF and the Welfare Party. However, the situation is different in local body elections. The support of smaller parties is crucial to ensure the front’s victory. Both the Muslim League and the UDF have instructed local leaders to cooperate with the Welfare Party wherever necessary. This is what is reflected in Malappuram. The Welfare Party is not specifically supporting the League; their support is for the UDF as a whole,” he stated.