Kerala polls: SDPI gives in to pressure, withdraws candidate in Manjeshwar as IUML worried over split in Muslim votes

The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) withdrew its candidate from Manjeshwar following pressure from local Muslim leaders and the UDF, aiming to prevent a split in minority votes. This move comes as the BJP eyes the coastal constituency, where the IUML narrowly won in 2016.

Key takeaways

Quick scan — what you need to know:

• The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) withdrew its candidate from Manjeshwar following pressure from local Muslim leaders and the UDF, aiming to prevent a split in minority votes.
• This move comes as the BJP eyes the coastal constituency, where the IUML narrowly won in 2016.
• Despite this, a Konkani Catholic candidate remains in the race.

Background

What led here, in plain terms:

• This move comes as the BJP eyes the coastal constituency, where the IUML narrowly won in 2016.
• Despite this, a Konkani Catholic candidate remains in the race.

Why it matters

Why readers and decision-makers should care:

• Despite this, a Konkani Catholic candidate remains in the race.
• The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) withdrew its candidate from Manjeshwar following pressure from local Muslim leaders and the UDF, aiming to prevent a split in minority votes.
• This move comes as the BJP eyes the coastal constituency, where the IUML narrowly won in 2016.