'Will back their decision': IUML to support ally Congress on Kerala CM pick

NEW DELHI: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader Panakkad Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal on Sunday made it clear that the party would back whichever decision the Congress takes on its chief ministerial candidate, a day before votes will be counted for the Kerala assembly elections held on April 9.“We do not have any particular opinion on the chief ministerial candidate. We will stand by the decision taken by the Congress high command. That has been the precedent. Everybody expects a UDF wave. All exit polls predict a UDF victory. We believe so, too., he told reporters in Malappuram.The IUML is a key constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which exit polls have projected to unseat the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and return to power after a decade.Thangal’s remarks followed comments from senior IUML leader MK Muneer, who also stressed that the decision on the chief ministerial candidate rests with the Congress high command.“The (leadership) decision has to be made by their (Congress') high command. The UDF has full confidence that the final decision will be unanimous and accepted by all constituents. Congress has capable leadership and a decision could be taken without delay after the election results are announced,” Muneer told reporters in Kochi on Saturday.Reports suggest that the leading contenders for the chief minister's post include Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal, leader of opposition in the Kerala assembly VD Satheesan, and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala. Venugopal serves as a Lok Sabha MP, while Satheesan and Chennithala have both contested key assembly seats in Kerala.(With PTI inputs)