from the party after a decision was taken at the CPI State Secretariat meeting held on Monday. CPI state secretary C K Chandrappan said that Rahmatullah was given all powers and authority but he had betrayed the party.
On Tuesday he was admitted to the IUML fold by state unit supremo Panakkad Syed Hyderali Shihad Thangal at Panakkad in neighbouring Malappuram district.
Rahmathullah has joined the new party without any pre condition. IUML state chief Thangal said any number of activists from CPI was welcome to his party.
Rahmatullah was also a member of the CPI State Secretariat, Chairman of the Kerala House Board and Director of party organ Janayugam.
Meanwhile the IUML which has emerged the second biggest partner in the victorious Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, Monday named former minister and State General secretary of the Party P.K.Kunhalikutty as its leader in the State Assembly.
Kunhalikutty will be sworn-in as minister on Wednesday. A Joint meeting of IUML Legislative party and State office bearers held here at Panakkad authorised Party State President Syed Hyderali shihab Thangal to name other ministers of the party and other office bearers of the legislative party.
In the meeting P. K. Abdu Rabb proposed the name of P. K. Kunhalikutty as Leader of the IUML legislative party and Abdussamad Samadani, Abdul Rahiman Randathani and other members seconded the proposal. Election was unanimous.
IUML National President and Union Minister of state for External Affairs E. Ahamed also attended the meeting.