The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) announced its support for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, as the leading national party in the INDIA bloc opposing the BJP.
Ashraf Moulavi, the Kerala state president of SDPI, emphasized that the decision to back the UDF stemmed from their commitment to secularism and opposition to the BJP's anti-constitutional stances.
Moulavi highlighted the importance of supporting those who uphold democratic values, especially in the face of growing dissent against the current government's policies.
The announcement, however, stirred some controversy as Opposition leader VD Satheesan clarified that the UDF had not engaged in any discussions or struck deals with the SDPI regarding the elections. Satheesan attributed the SDPI's decision to a broader sentiment in the country against the BJP and reiterated the UDF's commitment to secular principles.
Responding to Satheesan's comments, Ashraf Moulavi reaffirmed that the SDPI's support for the UDF was a political decision made after thorough internal deliberations. He emphasized the significance of the current political climate in shaping their stance and reiterated their dedication to secular fronts.
“We have two secular fronts in Kerala. We decided to vote for the Congress-led UDF because, at the national level, they are leading the INDIA bloc. The BJP government has been taking anti-constitutional positions and people who believe in democracy have started to protest against this. In this situation, our policy is to support those who are secular,” he added.
The SDPI announced its decision not to field candidates in Kerala for the Lok Sabha elections but intends to contest in 18 seats across several other states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. This strategic allocation of resources underscores the party's broader political strategy and its aim to make an impact beyond Kerala's borders.