WAYANAD: BJP candidate of Mananthavady constituency Manikandan alias Manikuttan has withdrawn from the fray. He said that he was nominated without his consent and is not interested in contesting.

Manikandan said he was happy for the BJP considering the Paniya community but does not want to be part of any political party. His wife posted on Facebook that Manikandan is not contesting the polls.

Manikandan later said that he was nominated without his knowledge and is withdrawing. He is presently working as a teaching assistant at the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University. He said that he wants to continue working.