Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: CPI(M) courts IUML rebels, leaves seats open for strategic gains

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is actively seeking to recruit disaffected leaders from the United Democratic Front (UDF), particularly the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), ahead of the April 9 Assembly election in Malappuram. The party has offered prominent IUML members like Abdurahman Randathani and V.K.M. Shafi, as well as former Youth Congress leader Riyas Mukkoli, the opportunity to contest as Independents backed by the Left Democratic Front (LDF). Despite initial interest, these leaders ultimately chose to remain within their respective parties. However, the CPI(M) has made a breakthrough in Malappuram with IUML rebel Kunnath Mohammed entering the fray as an Independent candidate against UDF nominee Manjalamkuzhi Ali.