The IUML, a key ally of the UDF, has nominated two women candidates, including Fathima Thahliya, a 34-year-old lawyer from Kozhikode, in the upcoming Kerala assembly elections.
Thahliya's candidature has changed the nature of the contest in Perambra, a constituency that has voted for Left Democratic Front candidates in all elections since 1980.
The IUML's decision to field women candidates is a significant shift in the party's strategy, reflecting changes in the Muslim community in Kerala.
According to NP Chekkutty, author of Muslim League in Kerala History, the League's priorities have shifted over the last decade toward welfare politics, addressing poverty, health, and the needs of the Gulf diaspora.
The League's adaptability has helped it survive political isolation and challenges from radical groups, and its leadership has democratized to reflect a diverse class base.
Community support for the UDF could be critical in the election, and the League's absence in southern districts hurts the UDF as the Congress stands alone.
The IUML's shift mirrors changes in the community, with a new class of articulate, political young women enabled by remittances and modern education.
Shilujas, a sociology teacher at Farook College, views Thahliya as a representative of this Gen Z Muslim woman, and the League has embraced this shift by appointing women leaders to key positions.
