Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Kunhalikutty files nomination in Malappuram

P.K. Kunhalikutty, national general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), filed his nomination on Saturday for the April 9 Assembly election as the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate from Malappuram. He submitted his nomination to the District Labour Officer here.

He began the day by visiting the grave of his father, Pandikadavathu Mohammed Haji, at Oorakam to offer prayers, and then sought the blessings of his elder brother, P.K. Haidru Haji.

Before heading to Malappuram, Mr. Kunhalikutty paid tribute at the graves of former IUML leaders Syed Pookoya Thangal, Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal, Syed Umerali Shihab Thangal, and Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal at Panakkad.

He also called on IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal at his residence at Panakkad before proceeding to Malappuram in a convoy.

Accompanying him were IUML constituency president Syed Rasheedali Shihab Thangal, MLAs P. Abdul Hameed and P. Ubaidullah, UDF constituency chairperson P.C. Velayudhankutty, convener P.A. Salam, and other leaders Arimbra Aboobacker, Noushad Mannissery, M.K. Muhsin, and Mujeeb Kaderi.

In a rare demonstration of communal harmony and secularism, Mr. Kunhalikutty’s electoral security deposit was jointly given by three persons representing different communities.

They were Medan Ahamed, who had first provided Mr. Kunhalikutty’s deposit when he contested the Malappuram municipality election in 1980; Fr. Sebastian Chembukandathil, vicar of Fatima Mata Church at Oorakam; and K.P. Vilasini, widow of former freedom fighter Parappurath Sukumaran Nair.