Abbul Wahab named IUML candidate for RS polls in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After intense deliberations, Indian Union Muslim League today nominated businessman and former MP P V Abdul Wahab as its candidate for the biennial poll to the Rajya Sabha from Kerala, slated to be held on April 20.

The decision was announced by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state president Panakkad Syed Hyderali Thangal at Malappuram after party state working committee meet yesterday failed to arrive at a consensus over the choice of candidate and entrusted Thangal to take the final decision, party leader and Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty said.

Wahab, member of Rajaya Sabha from 2004-2010, is a party secretary and also in charge of IUML's Non Resident Affairs.

Rift within the party, the second largest partner in ruling UDF in Kerala, came to fore yesterday after a facebook posting by Syed Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, son of former state president Syed Mohammed Ali Shihab Thangal, against nominating Wahab for the post.

However, when the issue became a topic of debate in the media, Munavvar withdrew the postings. He also said it was his personnel opinion and if his postings had caused pain to anybody, he was ready to tender apology.