Shanawas Padur Slams ‘Hate Campaign’ by Muslim League in Kasaragod; Complaint Filed with Election Commission

Kasaragod: LDF independent candidate Shanawas Padur has strongly rejected what he described as a hate campaign being waged against him by the Indian Union Muslim League in the Kasaragod constituency, asserting that the people of Kasaragod will not be misled by such tactics this time.

Responding to a speech by a Women's League leader who publicly called him a 'munafiq' — an Arabic term meaning hypocrite or false believer — Shanawas said resorting to the communal card in the final stretch of a campaign is a well-worn League strategy. He added that having nothing to show in terms of development for the constituency, the League first tried to tar him with allegations of a backdoor deal, and when that failed, it has now fallen back on religious vilification. He warned that similar base manoeuvres would likely continue in the days ahead, but expressed confidence that voters would see through them.

The LDF has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission against Women's League district secretary Ayishath Farzana over the remarks made at a UDF family meeting in Mulleria. The complaint, submitted by the candidate's election agent K A Mohammed Haneef, contends that the deliberate use of the term 'munafiq' was intended to personally defame the candidate while stoking communal polarisation and religious animosity in the constituency. The complaint seeks strict action against Farzana and calls for a case to be registered for violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

LDF leadership stated that it is the panic induced by the Left's strong momentum in Kasaragod that has driven the UDF to resort to such deeply objectionable campaign methods