Kasaragod: In a significant political development in the Manjeshwaram Assembly constituency, the SDPI candidate is set to withdraw from the contest, reportedly as part of a strategic understanding aligned with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to prevent division of votes against the BJP. The constituency, where the BJP has a strong presence, is witnessing a closely fought contest, with NDA candidate and former BJP state president K. Surendran in the fray. Surendran had lost the seat by 745 votes in 2021 and by just 89 votes in 2016, highlighting the narrow margins in the constituency.
The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), widely described as the political face of the banned Islamic terror outfit, Popular Front of India (PFI), is preparing to withdraw its nomination on the last day permitted for withdrawal. Party sources indicate that the move follows directives and discussions with UDF leaders, particularly from the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League, aimed at defeating the BJP by avoiding a split in votes. SDPI leaders stated that stopping the BJP’s advance is not only their responsibility but also that of the UDF.
Strategic withdrawal and widening political alignments
The SDPI leadership has clarified that the decision is based on internal survey findings, which suggested that a separate contest by the SDPI and the UDF would benefit the BJP. The state president of the SDPI revealed that UDF leaders had reached out to them as part of this strategy.
With what is described as a rise in public support for the BJP in the state, NDA candidates are seen as having strong prospects in key constituencies, including Manjeshwaram. This has prompted opposition parties to adopt tactical measures to consolidate votes. The SDPI has also stated that it will decide later which front to support in constituencies where it is not contesting, adding that even Left candidates have sought its support. The party indicated that it would back candidates capable of defeating the BJP at the local level.
The SDPI had earlier aligned with the Congress in the three-tier panchayat elections, and the current move is viewed as a continuation of that approach. In Manjeshwaram, UDF candidate A.K.M. Ashraf is expected to benefit from the SDPI’s withdrawal, which political observers say mirrors previous cooperation between the two sides.
The BJP has sharply criticised the development, alleging that the UDF-SDPI understanding amounts to an open vote consolidation exercise driven by fear of defeat. BJP leaders stated that such alliances with communal forces would be recognised by voters. Adding another dimension, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Abdul Nasser Madani, which is otherwise aligned with the LDF in 139 constituencies, has decided to support the UDF candidate in Manjeshwaram specifically to prevent a BJP victory.
