MANGALURU: Within six years of formation, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political wing of Popular Front of India (PFI), has not only gained a foothold in the politically sensitive coastal region, but has given leaders of the ruling Congress the jitters as well.
In Gram Panchayat polls held last month, candidates backed by SDPI won 38 seats, registering more than a four-fold increase of nine seats bagged in 2010, and finishing just one seat short of the number of seats garnered by candidates backed by JD(S) in this region. SDPI made significant inroads during polls to the Legislative Assembly and Mangaluru City Corporation, much to the discomfiture of Congress leaders who were hitherto confident of securing votes of those belonging to minority communities.
Expressing happiness over the performance SDPI, state secretary Alphonse Franko said that a close connect with people helped the party perform well in elections to Gram Panchayats. “Apart from the good number of seats we won, there are many seats where we lost by narrow margin of 10-15 votes. The total number of votes polled by candidates supported by our party has increased significantly. Initially there were allegations that SDPI was only for Muslims. But over the years we have proved that we take up the case of the common man. Apart from minorities who are unhappy with national parties which treated them like vote banks, we have supporters belonging to all communities,” he added.
Prof P.L. Dharma, department of political science, Mangaluru University, agreed that SDPI would pose a serious threat to Congress in the region. “SDPI has attracted considerable number of minority votes. The method of campaign and also the close connect with the people has made people support the party. Minorities were earlier with the Congress. But now, a good number of them have started supporting SDPI. This would certainly be a threat to the Congress in future, and split in minority votes between Congress and SDPI could help the BJP,” he added.
