Muneer manages to get into Cabinet

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The Indian Union Muslim League leader, Dr. M.K. Muneer, must be a happy man though he got the low profile local self government portfolio, because he managed to get a berth in the Cabinet overcoming many hurdles.

There was even uncertainty as to whether Mr Muneer will be contesting the elections as his arch enemy, Mr P.K. Kunhalikutty, had plans to scuttle his chances.

Mr Muneer wanted to contest from a sure seat in Malappuram, but he was forced to try his luck from Kozhikode South, the sitting seat of the Left Democratic Front.

He had to campaign almost single-handedly after a section in the party in the constituency developed cold feet. He finally managed to win the seat with a slender margin. But the IUML leader’s woes do not end there.

Though he was a minister in the previous UDF cabinet, his name did not figure in the initial list of probables. After many deliberations, the IUML leadership realised that keeping Mr Muneer out of the Cabinet will send wrong signals.

However, Mr Muneer, who is the chairman of the Indiavision channel, was asked to quit the post before being considered for the post of minister.

Mr Muneer resigned from the post, but he will continue to be the de facto head of the channel, which has targeted Mr Kunhalikutty in many occasions. The vigilance cases against Mr Muneer were also used to stall his entry into the Cabinet.

But he fought back citing the examples of Mr T.M. Jacob and Mr Adoor Prakash, who also are facing charges. Finally, to the dismay of his detractors he found his way into the Oommen Chandy cabinet.