Malappuram: Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Wednesday announced candidates for two Lok Sabha seats in which the party is contesting. Interestingly, the party has swapped the sitting MPs in Malappuram and Ponnani constituencies. That means, ET Mohammed Basheer will contest in Malappuram and MP Abdussamad Samadani will contest in Ponnani. 

The announcement was made by IUML state chief Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal. 

The party also announced the candidate for Ramanathapuram seat in Tamil Nadu. Sitting MP Kani K Navas itself is the candidate. 

It may be noted that IUML is a key ally of Congress in the United Democratic Front. Congress Party will contest 16 seats in Kerala in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The IUML leadership recently admitted that they had demanded one more Lok Sabha seat this time and said they won't backtrack from their decision.

Congress chieftain and opposition leader VD Satheesan, however, said issues were sorted through discussions. He also said that the IUML would be allotted a Rajya Sabha seat instead of the Lok Sabha seat they had demanded. 

With PTI inputs