SDPI faces internal rift over candidate withdrawal in Manjeshwaram; K M Ashraf announces resignation from party position

KASARGOD: A serious internal conflict has erupted within the SDPI over the withdrawal of its candidate from the Manjeshwaram constituency. In a meeting held today under the leadership of state president C P Abdul Latheef, it was decided to withdraw the candidature. However, the local candidate K M Ashraf was initially not willing to step down.

As pressure from the state leadership increased, Ashraf finally agreed to withdraw his candidature. He also announced his resignation from his party position and membership. K M Ashraf is a district council member of the SDPI. He also walked out of the meeting. After deciding to withdraw, Ashraf went directly to the Kasaragod Collectorate to complete the formalities.

The UDF had earlier alleged that the SDPI’s candidature in the constituency, where the UDF and BJP are in direct contest, would benefit the BJP and was part of a deal. In the previous election, the SDPI had not fielded a candidate in Manjeshwaram for the same reason. The UDF questioned why the party did not follow the same approach this time and demanded the withdrawal of the candidate. Following this, the SDPI withdrew its candidate.