Kerala elections: IUML’s Ashraf Opens Massive Lead Over BJP’s Surendran in Manjeshwar

Mangalore Today News Network

Kasaragod, May 4, 2026: IUML candidate A K M Ashraf has surged ahead in the Manjeshwar Assembly constituency, opening a commanding lead of 26,093 votes over BJP’s K Surendran by the end of Round 11 of counting on Monday.

Ashraf has secured 69,877 votes so far, while Surendran trails with 43,784 votes. CPM candidate K R Jayanandan remains a distant third with 12,306 votes.

Although Surendran briefly led during the initial postal ballot counting, the trend shifted decisively in favour of the incumbent once EVM counting began. The latest figures indicate a strong consolidation of votes for the UDF, while the CPM appears to have lost significant support in the constituency.

The developments mark a sharp contrast to the closely fought contests witnessed in Manjeshwar in recent elections. The last two Assembly elections in the constituency were decided by razor-thin margins of 89 votes and 745 votes, making it one of Kerala’s most unpredictable battlegrounds.

Manjeshwar is also among the only two constituencies in Kerala, along with Kasaragod, where the BJP is in a direct electoral contest with the IUML. Surendran, contesting from the seat for the fourth time, now faces an uphill task as counting progresses.