Malappuram: Days after asking its functionaries at the local bodies to hold Vikasana Sadas grandly, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) took an about-turn and decided not to associate with the state government's programme planned ahead of the local body election.

Sources cited tension with its UDF partner Congress for the sudden change of heart. The opposition UDF, for its part, has already announced to boycott the Sadas.

Earlier, a circular issued by the IUML's Malappuram district leadership had urged chairpersons of local self-government bodies to conduct the Sadas grandly, warning that without their cooperation, it could turn into a CPM event. The circular had described the Sadas as an opportunity to showcase the achievements of local institutions and invited party workers and the public to take part in them.

When the decision drew criticism from senior Congress leaders, IUML distanced itself from the circular. District General Secretary P Abdul Hameed said the communique was prepared while he was attending the Assembly session. He said a new circular would be issued if required and insisted the district committee supported the UDF’s stance.

Responding to the incident, senior Congress leader M M Hasan said the UDF did not support spending large amounts of money on the Sadas. He said district committees were not authorised to countermand decisions taken at the state level. “If such a decision has been taken, senior leaders will intervene and correct it,” Hasan said.