KERALA POLLS: SDPI Withdraws Candidate from Manjeshwar Seat; Monteiro Stays in Fray Despite Pressure

Mangalore Today News Network

Kasaragod, Mar 26, 2026: The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) on Thursday withdrew its candidate from the crucial Manjeshwar Assembly constituency following sustained pressure from the United Democratic Front (UDF) and community organisations over fears of a minority vote split.

SDPI candidate Ashraf K.M. (44), a district committee member, withdrew his nomination after a meeting of party leaders in Uppala. The decision came despite initial resistance from the party leadership, which had earlier decided against withdrawal.

Ashraf’s candidature had sparked controversy due to the similarity of his name with sitting MLA and UDF candidate A.K.M. Ashraf of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), raising allegations of potential voter confusion.

In the closely contested constituency, where past victories were decided by narrow margins—89 votes in 2016 and 745 votes in 2021—SDPI’s estimated vote base of 6,000–7,000 had raised concerns of a decisive split. The main contest remains between IUML’s A.K.M. Ashraf and BJP leader K. Surendran, with LDF candidate K.R. Jayananda also in the fray.

Several organisations, including the Samastha Kerala Sunni Students Federation (SKSSF), had demanded SDPI’s withdrawal, warning that a split in muslim votes could benefit the BJP.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Gean Lavina Monteiro (55), a Konkani Catholic and former Manjeshwar panchayat president, refused to withdraw her nomination despite pressure from community leaders and church authorities.

Monteiro said she was urged by clergy, including representatives of Sacred Heart Church, Vorkady, to step down, but chose to remain in the race citing “self-respect” and underlying community concerns.

The Konkani Latin Catholic community, numbering around 7,000 voters in the constituency, has been demanding inclusion in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list to avail reservation benefits. The issue has led to divisions within the community, traditionally aligned with the UDF.

With SDPI exiting the fray, the UDF camp is expected to gain relief, while Monteiro’s continued presence adds a new dimension to the electoral contest in Manjeshwar.