With one-and-a-half years extra left to finish his time period because the chairman of the Kerala State Wakf Board, veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] chief T. Okay. Hamsa will step down shortly amidst experiences of distinction of opinion with V. Abdurahiman, Minister of Wakf. Mr. Hamsa is anticipated to resign on August 1.

The choice has generated some curiosity in Muslim political events, particularly the Indian Union Muslim League, as he had been a fierce critic of the League.

While confirming his choice to step down, Mr. Hamsa denied experiences of any distinction of opinion with the Minister. Mr. Hamsa mentioned the social gathering had accepted his request to alleviate him of the submit.

The age issue

“The party had earlier fixed an age limit of 75 for its leaders for holding various posts in the organisation and the government. However, it relaxed the age restrictions while appointing me as the chairman. I would cross 87 years of age when the term as the chairman is completed. Hence, the decision to step down,” he mentioned.

“The State secretariat of the CPI(M) took the decision in consultation with me. I am battling several health issues. I had requested the party to relieve me of the responsibility considering my age and poor health,” he mentioned.

“The League had always been after me and I had never relented to them. It had even cobbled together an alliance with the BJP to defeat me from the Beypore Assembly constituency in 1991,” mentioned Mr. Hamsa on the League’s opposition to him.

Minister’s response

Responding to the developments, Mr. Abdurahiman mentioned he was unaware of Mr. Hamsa’s choice. Barring some informal feedback made within the board conferences, there has not been any distinction of opinion with him. The board had carried out spectacular work in the course of the tenure of Mr. Hamsa, together with realising a big extent of Wakf holdings, he mentioned.