The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a key ally in the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), may have taken a paradoxical and much-hyped step towards gender inclusion by fielding two women candidates for the Assembly elections.

However, the party still requires a level of political alchemy and electoral shrewdness to bridge the long-standing chasm that has left it without a single woman representative in the Legislature to date.

While the nomination of Jayanthi Rajan in the Koothuparamba segment in Kannur and Fatima Tahilia in Perambra in Kozhikode signals an attempt to address persistent criticism over gender imbalance, the choice of constituencies reveals the party’s underlying electoral pragmatism. Both seats are held by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and are widely regarded as its strongholds, making them challenging battlegrounds rather than winnable opportunities.

The strategy suggests that the IUML is balancing symbolic inclusion with electoral caution. By fielding women in difficult constituencies, the party appears to avoid risking its core seats while still projecting a commitment to inclusivity. The move also reflects lessons from past experiences. In 2021, the IUML fielded Noorbina Rasheed in Kozhikode South, a sitting seat, but failed to retain it—echoing an earlier setback in 1996 when Qamarunnisa Anvar lost from the same constituency, then known as Kozhikode II.

A closer look at the constituencies reinforces this reading. Koothuparamba has historically leaned towards Left and socialist parties, with the LDF maintaining its hold over the seat in between a brief UDF victory in 2011 when K.P. Mohanan of the Socialist Janata (Democratic) emerged victorious. Similarly, Perambra has remained a CPI(M) bastion for over four decades, with uninterrupted Left victories since 1980.

The candidates, however, carry their own significance. Ms. Rajan, a Dalit leader and national assistant secretary of the IUML, reflects an effort to broaden the party’s social outreach beyond its traditional base. She is up against LDF nominee P.K. Praveen of the Rashtriya Janata Dal and National Democratic Alliance candidate Shijilal of the BJP. “Koothuparamba is considered a Left stronghold, but I am confident of a thumping victory,” said Ms. Rajan.

Ms. Tahilia, a Kozhikode Corporation Councillor and advocate of gender equity, reinforces the party’s messaging on representation. She is contesting against the incumbent and LDF State convener T.P. Ramakrishnan of the CPI(M) and BJP candidate M. Mohanan Master.

Sources said that while the party recognises the need to improve its image on inclusivity, its overriding priority remains increasing its number of MLAs. This has led it to avoid “riskier” experiments — such as fielding women in safe or incumbent seats — and instead opt for a more cautious, optics-driven approach.

When contacted, IUML State general secretary P.M.A. Salam said the decision to field women in two Left strongholds was aimed at winning both seats. “In the recent three-tier local body polls, the UDF had the upper hand in these constituencies. Both our women candidates will emerge victorious,” he said.