Anti-minority sentiment cost us Manjeri: Thangal

IUML Supremo Thangal has said the defeat of Muslim League in its bastion, Manjeri, could be due to the 'general trend' that favoured LDF.

IUML Supremo Thangal has said the defeat of Muslim League in its bastion, Manjeri, could be due to the 'general trend' that favoured the CPI(M)-led LDF in Kerala.

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"There is a wave in favour of the LDF across the state and Manjeri also could not escape it," he told PTI over phone from his residence at Panakkad in neighbouring Malappuram district.

Asked about the primary reasons that brought about the downfall of League in Manjeri, where the IUML had not lost since 1952, Thangal said "maybe, factors like anti-minority sentiments created by UDF Government and non-implementation of Narendran Commission report" could have led to the defeat.

Asked if the reported "infighting" within Congress was also a cause for the defeat as widely speculated in media circles, he said `that could have also contributed to the loss.'

However, he did not agree with reports that the support extended by a Sunni faction to the rival camp was the major factor that led to League's defeat in Manjeri as the party had done well in adjoining Ponnani, where IUML national Secretary, E Ahmed won with an impressive margin.

"The League will definitely discuss all the issues leading to its defeat in Manjeri during the next UDF meet," he added.