KOZHIKODE: Backtracking from its brinkmanship politics, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second biggest constituent of ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) government led by Congress, has taken a U-turn from its earlier demand for government aided status to 33 schools in Malabar region.

“Demand for aided status to 33 schools in Malabar is not presently in the agenda of the Indian Union Muslim League. We were concerned about the service conditions available to the teachers in these schools.

“There is no need to read more meanings into the issue. Our party wanted to make sure these teachers received a fair deal regarding their remuneration and other benefits,” IUML national General Secretary ET Mohammed Basheer told media persons after party working committee meeting on Sunday.

Basheer said the party’s demand had been misinterpreted.

IUML state General Secretary KPA Majeed, who had taken an aggressive stand on the issue earlier, said his party would not take an adamant stand on the issue.

“The party had only demanded implementation of the right of teachers over service and salary conditions,” he said.

Last week, Majeed had reiterated his party’s demand for aided status to 33 schools, mostly run by party loyalists.

He had rubbished the comments of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala, who had ruled out aided status to these schools.

Congress had decided not to yield to Muslim League demand, which even threatened the stability of the ruling UDF.

Basheer also called on party workers to prepare for next year’s parliament election.

“We have decided to convene regional conventions and rallies to revamp cadres in this connection,” he said.

The meeting also decided to form eight task forces to
Former minister Kutty Ahamed Kutty will be the chairman of the steering committee for implementation of the eco policies.

Answering a query on difference of opinion between Nair Service Society and Congress, Basheer said his party does not want to make any comments.