Malappuram: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Tuesday announced its first list of candidates for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, naming candidates in 25 constituencies while indicating that it will contest a total of 27 seats.

State president Panakkad Sadiqali Shihab Thangal released the list, highlighting a conscious effort to bring in younger faces and increase representation for women. Notably, the party has fielded two women candidates for the first time in its history.

Senior leader MK Muneer, the sitting MLA from Koduvalli, has been left out of the list, reportedly due to health concerns. In his place, Muslim Youth League leader PK Firoz will contest from the seat as the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidate.

Among key changes, PK Kunhalikutty has been shifted to Malappuram, while KM Shaji will contest from Vengara. Ending earlier speculation, the IUML has decided to retain Thiruvambady and field CK Kasim instead of conceding the seat to the Congress.

The two women candidates include national assistant secretary Jayanthi Rajan, who will contest from Koothuparamba, and youth leader Fathima Thahliya, who has been nominated in Perambra.

Thangal also stated that candidates for the remaining two constituencies—Chelakkara and Punalur—will be announced within the next two days.

The complete lsit of candidates is as follows:

1. Manjeshwar – AKM Ashraf
2. Kasaragod – Kallada Mahin Haji
3. Azhikode – Kareem Cheleri
4. Kuttiady – Parakkal Abdulla
5. Perambra – Fathima Thahliya
6. Koduvalli – P K Firoz
7. Kunnamangalam – Razak Master
8. Thiruvambady – CK Kasim
9. Ernad – PK Basheer
10. Vengara – KM Shaji
11. Malappuram – PK Kunhalikutty
12. Mankada – Manjalamkuzhi Ali
13. Perinthalmanna – Najeeb Kanthapuram
14. Kondotty – TP Ashrafali
15. Vallikkunnu – TV Ibrahim
16. Manjeri – M Rahmathulla
17. Tirurangadi – PMA Shameer
18. Tanur – PK Navas
19. Tirur – Kurukkoli Moideen
20. Kottakkal – Abid Hussain Thangal
21. Kalamassery – VE Abdul Gafoor
22. Koothuparamba – Jayanthi Rajan
23. Kozhikode South – Faisal Babu
24. Mannarkkad – N Shamsudheen
25. Guruvayur – CH Rasheed