Thiruvananthapuram: The state Congress party has decided to issue a show-cause notice to Aryadan Shoukat, its member who heads the Nilambur village council in Malappuram district, for making derogatory remarks against Indian Union Muslim League supremo Panakkad Syed Muhammedali Shihab Thangal.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is the Congress ally in the United Democratic Front in the state, and the Congress decided to take action against Shoukat to defuse the tension between the two Front partners.

Aryadan Shoukat, who is son of veteran Congress leader Aryadan Mohammed, not only made some remarks against the IUML supremo but also demanded inquiry to ascertain how Thangal's family came to acquire its wealth. Thangal is a revered leader in the state.

The two parties have been engaged in a turf war over the past few months. Their differences sharpened when Mohammed, in a recent speech, urged the Congress workers to take the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme seriously to ensure the Congress domination in Malappuram district.

After a top-level party meeting here, state Congress president Ramesh Chennithala said it has been decided to serve a show cause notice to Shoukat for making personal allegations against Thangal.

"Mohammed raised issues and there was no personal attack. But Shoukat took up personal issues and hence, we have decided to ask for his explanation. We have decided to discuss the issues that Mohammed raised and have talks with the IUML leadership shortly," said Chennithala.

As soon as Mohammed's statement came, union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi airdashed to Thangal's home in Malappuram last week.

This issue also saw Chennithala and leader of opposition Oommen Chandy rushing to Delhi for discussions with Sonia Gandhi, who advised them to settle the issue in the state at the earliest.

Senior IUML leader P.K. Kunhalikutty expressed happiness that the Congress party has taken up the issue at the highest level.

 

Source : IANS