Despite being heavily criticised for failing to attend the Lok Sabha session, where the controversial Bill that makes triple talaq a punishable offence was passed, no action will be taken against Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) general secretary and Malappuram MP, PK Kunhalikutty by the party. As Onmanorama reports, IUML supremo Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal issued a statement stating that he had spoken to the Kunhalikutty over the phone, and was “satisfied” with his response.
While Kunhalikutty had initially been lambasted for failing to attend the crucial Lok Sabha session on Thursday in favour of attending a businessman’s wedding in Dubai, PTI reports that he refuted this allegation, claiming that he had to travel to attend a governing body meeting of IUML’s organ, Chandrika.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel, who was recently embroiled in a nepotism row involving the appointment of his nephew to a government post, had made strong remarks on the issue. He had said that “all the perfume from Arabia will not be able to cure the blemish on the IUML caused by Kunhalikutty’s action”.
KT Jaleel also said Kunhalikutty had “caused a black chapter in the history of the IUML” and that the party should reconsider sending the MP to Parliament “with broader and heavier responsibilities as a ‘centre forward’ of the party”, as he had “failed miserably” in this role.
Read: Malappuram MP Kunhalikutty under fire for missing crucial triple talaq vote
Workers of various political groups, like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Malappuram and the Indian National League (INL) in Vengara, took out protests against Kunhalikutty to protest his absence during the Lok Sabha debate on the triple talaq bill.