Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: IUML enters new era as Fathima Thahiliya becomes first woman MLA
Fathima Thahiliya has created history by becoming the first woman from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to enter the Kerala Assembly. Her victory in
Fathima Thahiliya has created history by becoming the first woman from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) to enter the Kerala Assembly. Her victory in Perambra against Left Democratic Front (LDF) convener T.P. Ramakrishnan by a margin of 5,087 votes marks a significant milestone—not just for her, but for the party as well. A former Haritha leader and practising lawyer, Ms. Thahiliya is, however, not the first woman the IUML has fielded in the Assembly elections. Earlier, Vanitha League leaders Kamarunnisa Anwar and Noorbina Rasheed were fielded from Kozhikode in 1996 and 2021 respectively, but both could not win. Check who won in your constituency After Ms. Anwar’s loss in 1996, the party went nearly 25 years without fielding another woman candidate in the Assembly polls.
Over time, however, the IUML’s approach towards women in public life began to evolve, shaped by changing social realities and the growing visibility of women in politics. Kerala woman MLA Fathima Thahiliya warns online media against ‘paparazzi-style’ filming, threatens legal action Traditionally influenced by conservative religious positions, the IUML had often faced criticism from orthodox sections for bringing women into public political roles. While such resistance still exists in a muted form, the party leadership has increasingly accepted women’s participation in public life. The 50% reservation for women in local self-government institutions further strengthened their presence and made inclusion unavoidable. Under State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal, known for his relatively liberal outlook, the IUML fielded two women candidates this election for the first time.
Ms. Thahiliya’s energetic campaign and approachable image helped her defeat a seasoned Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader like Mr. Ramakrishnan. However, the party’s second woman candidate, Jayanthi Rajan, lost to RJD candidate P.K. Rajeevan in Koothuparamba by 1,286 votes. While the IUML has long faced criticism for not fielding women in strong or winnable constituencies, Ms. Thahiliya’s victory has challenged that perception and marked a clear shift in narrative. Noorbina Rasheed, who had contested from Kozhikode in 2021, was viewed within the party as having underperformed in that election. She opposed Ms. Thahiliya’s candidature this time, questioning her suitability. However, Ms. Thahiliya’s win has not only proved her critics wrong but also signalled a possible widening of space for women within the party’s electoral framework.
The BriefWire