Kunhalikutty 2nd in command in next UDF cabinet: Sadiq Ali

A SESSION at the 'Ma', cultural and literature festival in Malappuram provided a sneak preview of the political intrigue and wish lists taking shape ahead of next year's assembly election.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Malappuram

Speaking at the 'Manasuthuranu' forum on Saturday, IUML state president Panakkad Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal said, in a laid-back manner, that his party "can certainly have a chief minister if the Congress permits it".

He was responding to a question from the moderator about why the League had not had a chief minister since C H Mohammed Koya.

On whether if not the CM, a deputy chief minister appointee from the party would do, Thangal said the IUML national general secretary would hold the second most influential position in the cabinet if the UDF wins the next election. He also clarified that it is the IUML's general opinion that P K Kunhalikutty would lead it in the election.