The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has reaffirmed its stand to maintain an equal distance from both the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF). It will contest the three-phase civic body elections being held in the state on December 9 and 11 without forming any alliance.
SDPI State President The State President has announced that the party will field about 4,000 candidates for local body elections in the state. “Our goal is to strengthen our position in civic elections and the best way to do that is to compete independently,” he said.
The SDPI now holds 103 seats in civic bodies across the country, a significant increase in the 2020 elections from 2015. Having entered the electoral arena in 2010, the SDPI sees the number of seats above 100 as evidence that it is taking root in Kerala.
“We are fielding candidates in grama panchayats, block panchayats, district panchayats, municipalities and municipal corporations and are working for them with renewed vigor to double our numbers,” Mr. Latheef said.
The SDPI Secretariat meeting held on the next day decided to fight hard with both the UDF and the LDF. But the party will not be averse to micro-level adjustments with anyone but the BJP. “We will have no deal with the BJP,” Mr Latheef said.
SDPI has a multi-pronged strategy that includes supporting independent candidates where it can make an impact. According to SDPI leaders, the party will adopt a strong strategy in civic bodies, where its stance could prove to be decisive both for the election results and for the subsequent management of these bodies.
Civic bodies such as Muzhuppilangadu panchayat and Iritty municipality in Kannur district along with Ponmala, Cheriyamundam, Athavanad and Kavanur panchayats in Malappuram district will be key for the party. Mr Latheef said the party would also make its presence felt strongly in several other civic bodies across the southern constituencies.
In Malappuram alone, SDPI is contesting 500 seats. The party announced its candidates for Malappuram District Panchayat on Saturday. They are Chemmala Yousuf Ali (Thrikkalangodu), Mirshan Munduzhi (Vazhakkad), NCA Kabeer (Thenhipalam), Sameera Teacher (Mangalam), Yasar Pookkottumpadam (Vazhikkadavu), Hasna Mujeeb (Thavanur), Haneefa Karumbil (C Sameeer Phangara) and).
SDPI candidates will be present in more than 400 gram panchayat wards and 50 block divisions in Malappuram.
SDPI district leaders said here on Saturday that the party will reach out to voters by raising the slogan of “rights for the deserving and for a corruption-free government”. They said they would present ideas and development perspectives that offer a new sense of direction.
Published – 15 Nov 2025 20:09 IST
