KASARGOD: BJP state president K Surendran was unable to bloom lotus in Manjeshwar and Konni this time. He came second in Manjeshwar and third in Konni.

Manjeswaram was one of the most promising constituencies of the BJP. Many surveys predicted the win of Surendran. However, UDF candidate AKM Ashraf won by a majority of 1143 votes.

This is not the first time Surendran is losing in Manjeswar. He lost to P B Abdul Rasaq of the UDF candidate by 89 votes in the last assembly polls. M C Kamarudin of Muslim League defeated Raveesha Tantri of BJP in the bypolls held in Manjeshwar following the death of Abdul Rasaq in 2019 by 7923 votes.

The general assessment is that Surendran suffered a setback in Manjeshwar as he contested in two constituencies. There was strong criticism against hiring of helicopters to campaign in both constituencies. Opponents used the central government's anti-minority, anti-farmer policies and increased fuel prices against Surendran. Despite rallying national leaders, Surendran had to taste defeat this time as well.