NEW DELHI: In the run-up to the Telangana Assembly elections, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extended full support to the Congress party on Monday.
General secretary of the Muslim League P K Kunhalikutty conveyed the decision to Congress leader and Member of Parliament (MP) from Wayanad, Rahul Gandhi.
“Indian Union Muslim League has strong roots in Telangana. A part of the INDIA front, IUML will closely work with Congress to form a new government against the ruling fascists,” Kunhalikutty’s letter to Gandhi read.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) extends unconditional support to Indian National Congress for the upcoming polls in Telangana.
Muslim community with Congress. pic.twitter.com/auHKF8Tooe
— Asma (@asmatasleem13) November 5, 2023
Congress has had IUML as one of its most important and oldest allies since Independence. The general secretary’s reiteration of their support comes at a time when speculations were made regarding the party inching closer to the Communist Party of India (Marxist), especially when the IUML had been invited to participate in a pro-Palestine rally by them.
However, upon receiving the invitation, the Congress ally iterated that since it was in cahoots with the Congress-led United Democratic Front, it would not be able to participate in the same.
The letter to the Gandhi scion further reinforced the IUML’s commitment to the principles of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. The letter read, “Party leadership and workers will actively participate in the election campaign for the victory of Congress party in Telangana in an effort towards the success of INDIA in 2024 Lok Sabha elections.”
Presently, the Congress has announced 100 candidates, as opposed to the KCR-led Bharat Rashtra Samiti’s 117, for Telangana Assembly elections.
During Congress’ alliance with the IUML, there have been moments when it has come into the foray of certain speculation wherein the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has attacked it for being another appeasement method.
Earlier in Washington DC, Gandhi had referred to the Muslim party as “secular”, which had irked BJP’s national spokesperson and media in charge, Amit Malviya, who called it “disingenuous” while equating the party with Jinnah’s Muslim League.