Decision on fifth minister at UDF meeting

MALAPPURAM: IUML general secretary P K Kunhalikutty said that the final decision on the fifth ministerial berth demanded by the party would be announced only after the UDF meeting to be held on Monday. He was addressing  media persons after the state secretariat meeting of the IUML convened at the League House in Malappuram on Sunday. “However, priority will be given to discussions regarding the Speaker and Deputy Speaker candidates at the meeting,” he added. Refuting the allegations that there was simmering discontent among theMuslim League leaders, Kunhalikutty said that partymen were always united and all other allegations were baseless. However, Muslim League sources confirmed that the meeting decided to fight tooth and nail for its demand for a fifth minister. “We have decided to move forward with our demand at the UDF meeting,” said sources. Turning down wide speculations that the secretariat meeting will take decision on the leadership reshuffle as part of implementing the ‘one man, one post’ system, the IUML leaders said that the meeting mainly discussed the agenda of the working committee meeting to be held on June 5. “The final decision regarding the reshuffle will be taken at the working committee meeting,” said Kunhalikutty.Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal presided over the meeting in which P K Kunhalikutty, M K Muneer, P K Abdu Rabb, Cherkalam Abdulla, Kutty Ahamed Kutty, M C Mayin Haji and P M A Salam were present.