Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has decided to grant aided status to the Markaz Unani Medical College in Kozhikode, run by the faction led by Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar. Although the Cabinet decision cites the fact that it is the state’s only Unani medical college, the move is widely seen as an attempt to retain the support of the Kanthapuram faction ahead of the Assembly elections.

The government had earlier received several applications seeking aided status from various institutions, including those run by community organisations, but had refrained from considering them due to the financial burden involved.

However, the Kanthapuram Sunni faction already wields considerable influence in several constituencies in Malabar. In the current political context, the government is seen as seeking to further strengthen its ties with the group.

The Markaz Unani Medical College was established in 2010 at Puthuppadi in Kozhikode under the self-financing sector. With the grant of aided status, the government will have to bear operational expenses, including paying salaries to teachers appointed by the management in accordance with University Grants Commission (UGC) scales. The government has not yet clarified the fee structure for students.

Industries Minister P Rajeev and Tourism Minister P A Mohammed Riyas had recently visited Kanthapuram. The All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama, led by Kanthapuram, has a remarkable presence in the education sector in Malabar.

Markaz secretary Dr Mohammed Abdul Hakeem Azhari said the aided status would be a major boost for Kerala’s health and education sectors. “It will give ordinary students in the state an opportunity to pursue Unani medical education within Kerala itself,” he said.