The NIT Calicut governing council nomination has become a political issue because the UDF’s choice of Lefeer Muhamed as one of the state government nominees drew criticism from the BJP and also sparked discomfort within parts of the Congress and IUML.The Kerala government can nominate two members to the NIT Calicut governing body, and under the UDF’s understanding, one seat went to the Congress and the other to the IUML.While the Congress nominated K. Ananda Mani, the IUML recommended Lefeer Muhamed of Ponnani.The BJP objected because Lefeer Muhamed had reportedly been questioned by Customs in 2021 in connection with the Kerala gold and dollar smuggling case.The party organized protests in Kozhikode and warned that it would intensify agitation if the nomination was not reconsidered.
The issue has widened beyond the nomination itself, with district-level leaders in both Congress and IUML reportedly unhappy that a person from outside Kozhikode was chosen for a premier local institution.The nomination was also said to have been recommended after a suggestion from Ponnani MLA K. Noushad to Minister P. K. Kunhalikutty.