Malappuram (Kerala) | IUML state president Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal on Saturday denied allegations of Jamaat-e-Islami influence over the party, asserting that it is capable of taking independent decisions.

Responding to claims by CPI(M) leaders that Jamaat-e-Islami is controlling the IUML, Thangal told reporters that such allegations were baseless and made for political purposes.

"The League is fully capable of taking its own decisions. We do not depend on others for opinions or directions. All decisions are taken based on our own stand, and there are no other interests behind them," he said.

When asked whether the decision to field IUML leader K M Shaji from Vengara was influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami, Thangal rejected the claim.

"P K Kunhalikutty expressed his desire to contest from Malappuram, which created a vacancy in Vengara. We then decided to field Shaji there. There is no external influence behind it," he said.

On allegations by Congress leaders of a CPI(M)-SDPI understanding, Thangal said such claims would have to be backed by evidence.

"For the IUML and the UDF, the priority is to protect secularism, democratic values and communal harmony in the state. We approach everything from that perspective and are not concerned about other claims," he said.