Kerala Assembly polls: SDPI pulls out of Manjeswaram contest, easing vote-split concerns for UDF

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on Thursday (March 26, 2026) withdrew its candidate from the Manjeswaram Assembly constituency in Kerala, a move seen as offering relief to the United Democratic Front (UDF) amid concerns over vote-splitting.

The decision was taken at a meeting held in Uppala under the chairmanship of SDPI State president C.P. Abdul Latheef. The party asked its candidate K.M. Ashraf, who had filed his nomination earlier, to withdraw from the contest.

The move comes days after criticism that the SDPI’s presence in the fray could divide votes and indirectly aid the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

K.M. Ashraf was declared as the SDPI candidate on the final day for filing nominations. However, political circles, particularly within the UDF, had expressed apprehension that another candidate with a similar name to the UDF nominee, A.K.M. Ashraf of the Indian Union Muslim League, could lead to confusion among voters and split votes.

Manjeswaram has long been considered a stronghold where the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by the BJP, consistently emerges as a key contender, often finishing second. The BJP reportedly views the constituency as a high-priority seat. In this backdrop, the SDPI candidature had drawn criticism even within sections of the party, with concerns that it might inadvertently benefit the NDA.

Following internal deliberations and signals from the State leadership that the withdrawal could be considered, the party arrived at a consensus to pull out of the race.

However, the decision has reportedly drawn sharp dissent from K.M. Ashraf. Expressing strong dissatisfaction, he walked out of the meeting shortly after it began and indicated that he would resign from all party positions. He later told the media that he was unhappy with the directive and left for the Collectorate to withdraw his nomination.