SDPI to tread a different path to make a mark in state politics

MYSORE: Buoyed by the support that it got in the recently held MCC elections, Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), its leaders have decided to maintain a distance from other parties, and develop an individual identity by being "close to people".
Though some political parties saw SDPI as a "spoiler" for them, the new party managed to win four of the 16 seats that it contested.It also came second in five constituencies by giving close contest to the winners there. Sixteen candidates of SDPI together polled over 16,000 votes, which is a good figure compared to the contestants from BSP, KJP and BSR Congress.
Revealing SDPI's decision to "act differently" in the civic body, the party's state chief Abdul Mazid said that they have made a humble beginning in the ULB elections by winning a couple of seats all over the state. "We want to consolidate our position and contest the assembly elections with a positive frame of mind," he said, and added that SDPI executive has decided to play an active role in state politics.
"We will maintain equidistance from both Congress and BJP, which are anti-humane and anti-development," he claimed, adding that the election of four corporators is the best opportunity for us to establish SDPI identity and consolidate its base.
"Though we are part of People's Democratic Front comprising farmer associations, BSP and other minor political outfits, we will try to carve a niche for ourselves in the next assembly elections. We will prove that ours is not a party restricted to Muslims or dalits," he said.
English lecturer Syed Mustaffa said that they are determined to build the party and maintain values in public life. Speaking on elections, Mustaffa said: "SDPI candidates, by not resorting to corrupt practices in the elections, have shown that they are a different lot. Henceforth, we will build on this image."