Chennai: In a further setback to the DMK-led opposition, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Saturday announced its withdrawal from the alliance, ending its long-standing ties that endured through multiple elections in Tamil Nadu. IUML national president Kader Mohideen thanked chief minister C Joseph Vijay for accommodating IUML in his cabinet.The decision to quit DMK-led secular progressive alliance was taken at the party’s general council meeting held in Chennai. The move comes just a month after Vijay formed govt after the assembly election. IUML, despite contesting in two seats such as Papanasam and Vaniyambadi in DMK symbol and winning both, chose to align with TVK.A total of 14 resolutions were passed in the general council meeting and the 14th resolution spoke about quitting DMK alliance. The resolutions stated that IUML is part of TVK govt and in the prevailing political situation, it could not travel in DMK alliance.Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kader Mohideen said the decision to join TVK was taken after discussing with former chief minister M K Stalin. “We approached Stalin and conveyed to him our decision on joining TVK. We (IUML) discussed with Stalin several times before extending our support to TVK,” said Mohideen. “We informed him that if we don’t support TVK, there would be president’s rule and indirectly, a BJP rule in TN. IUML shouldn’t become the reason for such a scenario and hence, we extended support to TVK,” he said.In a significant post-election development, IUML MLA A M Shahjahan was inducted into the TVK-led govt headed by Vijay and currently serves as minorities welfare minister.Kader Mohideen thanked Vijay for making Shahjahan his cabinet colleague. “Though we have extended unconditional support to TVK, they gave cabinet berth to us, which we didn’t demand. We joined the cabinet after much discussion and deliberation. We thank Vijay for giving the cabinet berth,” Kader Mohideen said.Asked about IUML’s stand in the upcoming bypolls, Kader Mohideen indicated that they would support TVK. “IUML is part of govt and henceforth, we wish that the good work by TVK govt should continue. Henceforth, we will cooperate with TVK govt in not just by-elections but local body elections as well and hence the decision (to quit DMK alliance),” Kader Mohideen said.The IUML national president said they didn’t have the opportunity in the past to contest for Mayor and municipal chairman posts but in TVK govt, IUML will try its best to get such posts and contest in the local body elections.Asked about criticisms from DMK, Kader Mohideen said DMK functionaries were their friends and hence did not mind those criticisms.
