IUML experiment fails in Perambra, Kunnamangalam

Party succeeds in recapturing Koduvally by fielding Muneer

The experiment of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in fielding independent candidates to capture Perambra and Kunnamangalam in Kozhikode district in the Assembly polls turned out to be a damp squib, failing to evoke a positive response from the electorate in both these constituencies. In Perambra, the IUML roped in businessman and philanthropist C.H. Ibrahim Kutty to stand as the United Democratic Front (UDF) independent against CPI(M) leader and Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan. Mr. Kutty not only lost the polls but also made a dent in the vote share of the Congress-led coalition. Mr. Ramakrishnan secured a margin of 22,592 votes against him. The last time, his victory margin was 4,101 in this constituency. Politically, the increase in votes has also been attributed to the inclusion of the Kerala Congress (M) into the Left Democratic Front fold. The party has pockets of influence among the Christian settlers in the hill region.