Left loses another minority face,CPI leader joins IUML

Indicating the growing career concern among the state political class,Rahmathulla picked IUML,the second largest ally of the UDF,which would form the new government on Wednesday. As a senior CPI leader,Rahmathulla had been the chairman of a government-run housing board till Tuesday.

Rahmathulla,who attended the party state executive on Monday,did not drop any hint about his impending decision. CPI state secretary C K Chandrappan said: “It is an opportunistic move by a leader who had enjoyed power and position when the party was at the helm for five years,” said Chandrappan.

Rahmathulla said the CPI had not given due consideration to the Muslim community,adding that the IUML’s relevance has increased. “My decision has nothing to do with the change of guard in the state,” he said.

According to party sources,Rahmathulla,who had unsuccessfully contested two elections in the past,wanted to try his luck this time also. But the CPI took a policy decision not to field any leader for a third term. After the elections,he came under fire for the worst show of the CPI candidate at Eranadu constituency in Malappuram.

There had been allegations that Rahmathulla’s followers had worked against the interest of the party candidate,who came third in the election.