Sayyid Munavvar Ali Shihab Thangal, a prominent leader of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), announced that the party deserves the deputy chief minister's position in Kerala but will not stake a claim if the United Democratic Front (UDF) secures victory in the upcoming elections. The Kerala Assembly polls took place recently, with results for all 140 constituencies to be declared on May 4. Thangal emphasized that the IUML does not engage in religious vote-seeking, stating that any such incidents would be investigated. He expressed confidence in the UDF's ability to protect minority interests and confirmed that the IUML would support the Congress's choice for chief minister. Fellow IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty reiterated that the party would not demand the deputy chief minister post, aligning with Thangal's stance on the matter.