Jamaat support for UDF remains a hot topic in Nilambur

AS the bypoll campaign heats up in Nilambur, the CPM is trying to keep the Congress' relationship with Jamaat-e-Islami an active topic of discussion.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Malappuram

NILAMBUR created history by sending a member to the Legislative Assembly for the shortest period, years ago. It was in 1980 that Nilambur sent a member to the Assembly for just 10 days. It is not because the term of the House had expired, but because the representative resigned from the post to make way for another candidate. C Haridas was the member who gave away his position within weeks.

There is a story of sacrifice behind that resignation. Haridas and his team were in the Left Front under the leadership of A K Antony after the Congress split. That split was due to the difference of opinion that cropped up following the declaration of Emergency in the country. In the 1980 elections, C Haridas was given the Nilambur seat. His opponent was T K Hamsa, who later joined the CPM.