Worried at the prospect of losing its no. 2 status in the UDF, the IUML had held talks with the Jamaat-e-Islami ostensibly to discuss issues relating to the welfare of the Muslim community. But the real purpose of the talks, political buzz has it, was to explore the possibilities of an alliance for the forthcoming local bodies elections and the assembly elections next year. The talks, held in Thalassery, north Malabar, last month, were attended by top IUML as well as Jamaat leaders.

The talks might have had a positive outcome but for two developments. First, the news of the secret talks, held at the initiative of IUML leadership, was leaked by sources from within the IUML itself.

Second, the Jamaat sprang an unpleasant surprise on the IUML by signalling its intent to contest the local bodies polls. The announcement put paid to the efforts of the IUML as an open alliance with the Jamaat after its announcement to dabble in politics, would have met with the disapproval of the other UDF constituents. After all, the Jamaat believes in establishment of a theocratic state and is suspected to have links with militant groups in Jammu and Kashmir. An open tie-up with an organisation would have irreparably impaired the secular image of the UDF.

The move was also vehemently opposed by a section of the IUML itself, much to the dismally of the official leadership, sources point out. Of course, top leaders of the IUML later denied there was any move to forge a political alliance with the Jamaat. But by that time the 'damage' had been done and the leadership had to beat a retreat.

The question being asked in the political circles here is: What prompted the IUML to probe the chances of an alliance with the Jamaat in the first instance? It is not difficult to divine the reasons. The IUML was worried at the enormous increase in the clout of the Kerala Congress (M), another constituent of the UDF, after the Kerala Congress (J) faction merged in it. The KC(M) has also emerged as the number two party in the State Assembly post-merger. The IUML leadership had to do something to prevent it from being marginalized in the UDF. That explains the IUML's initiation of talks with the Jamaat.

The IUML also thought that with the Jamaat falling out with the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front(LDF), whom it had supported in the last assembly elections and the Lok Sabha polls in 2009, there was a real chance of evolving some kind of an understanding with it now. But the Jamaat, fired by its own political agenda, refused to play ball with the IUML.

But all is not lost for the IUML leaders. The exit of the Indian National League (INL) from the LDF camp has revived the IUML's hopes. The party has wholeheartedly welcomed the INL decision to snap ties with the LDF in protest against the CPI(M)'s 'steadfast refusal' to make the INL a constituent of the LDF despite repeated requests. The air is already thick with speculation that the IUML has held talks with the IBL and try to woo it back into the party's fold.

It remains to be seen whether the INL, which is keen on being inducted into the UDF, will oblige the parent body. The INL had broken away from the IUML in the wake of the Babri masjid demolition following serious differences with the IUML on the latter's soft approach to the Congress post-demolition.(IPA)