Surendran’s possible candidature reportedly sparks differences in BJP’s Manjeswaram unit

Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made no official announcement on candidates, differences have reportedly emerged in its Manjeswaram Assembly constituency unit amid indications that former State president K. Surendran could contest the upcoming Assembly elections.

Sources in the party said differing opinions have emerged among district leaders and grassroots workers as speculation over Mr. Surendran’s candidature gathered momentum. The report suggests that BJP district president M.L. Ashwini has demanded that she be relieved of her role as Manjeswaram constituency in-charge. According to party sources, her main complaint was that Mr. Surendran’s programmes and engagements in the constituency were not being communicated in advance.

Ms. Ashwini, who contested as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate from the Kasaragod Lok Sabha constituency in the last general election, is also learnt to have raised concerns at a party meeting over the lack of adequate cooperation from some leaders in coordinating organisational activities in the constituency.

Meanwhile, some district leaders alleged that NDA Manjeswaram constituency convener and BJP area vice-president Vijayakumar Rai had been making decisions unilaterally. They claimed that decisions on political programmes and meetings in the constituency were being taken without involving all the leaders concerned.

Mr. Surendran has reportedly stepped up his activities in the constituency amid indications that he may contest from Manjeswaram. He has been holding meetings with party workers in various areas and participating in organisational gatherings across the constituency.

However, Ms. Ashwini denied reports that she had sought to be relieved of her role as Manjeswaram constituency in-charge. Speaking to the media, she said the claims were baseless and asserted that there was no rift within the party at present.

She said all leaders were working together to strengthen the organisation and prepare for the upcoming elections. She added that the final decision on the candidate for Manjeswaram would be taken by the party’s State leadership and that the speculation would end once the announcement was made.

Ms. Ashwini also said that no district committee meeting had been held in recent days. She added that the differences she had earlier had with Vijayakumar Rai had been resolved and that the BJP was united in facing the upcoming election.