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Who Is A. K. M. Ashraf? The MLA Who Shocked BJP by 745 Votes in 2021
A. K. M. Ashraf is not someone who stumbled into politics by accident. His political journey began when he was just ten years old — and what started as youthful enthusiasm inside the corridors of Manjeshwaram eventually took him all the way to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Today, as the sitting MLA for Manjeshwaram constituency and a prominent face of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in Kasaragod, Ashraf represents a generation of grassroots politicians who earned their seat the hard way.
In the 2021 Kerala Assembly election, A. K. M. Ashraf won Manjeshwaram by just 745 votes — one of the narrowest victories in the entire state that year — defeating none other than K. Surendran, then the President of BJP Kerala. That single result made headlines across the country. And now, in 2026, with Surendran returning to challenge him again, the battle for Constituency No. 1 of Kerala is set to be even more intense.
This is the full story of A. K. M. Ashraf — his roots, his rise, his record as a legislator, and what drives him forward.
A. K. M. Ashraf — Quick Profile
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | A. K. M. Ashraf |
| Father’s Name | Aboobacker |
| Date of Birth | 1978 |
| Age (as of 2026) | 47–48 years |
| Birthplace | Kadambar, Manjeshwaram, Kasaragod, Kerala |
| Residence | Ceeyem Minnath, Kadambar-Manjeshwar (P.O.), Kasaragod — 671323 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Politician, Businessman |
| Political Party | Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) |
| Alliance | UDF — United Democratic Front |
| Constituency | Manjeshwaram (Constituency No. 1), Kasaragod District |
| Current Role | MLA, 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly |
| Education | B.A. Kannada, Kannur University (2001) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Assets (2021 Affidavit) | ₹47,43,759 (~₹47 Lakhs) |
| Liabilities (2021) | ₹2,65,949 (~₹2.6 Lakhs) |
| akmashrafmanjeshwaram | |
| @akm_ashraf |
Early Life & Background
A. K. M. Ashraf was born in 1978 in Kadambar, Manjeshwaram — a small locality in what is today one of Kerala’s most politically vibrant border districts, Kasaragod. Growing up right at the meeting point of Kerala and Karnataka, Ashraf was shaped by the multilingual, multicultural environment of the region. Kasaragod is famously known as the land where seven languages — Malayalam, Tulu, Kannada, Konkani, Beary, Marathi, and Urdu — coexist in daily life.
His family background positioned him close to the IUML ecosystem from a young age. Rather than drifting into politics later in life as many politicians do, Ashraf showed political inclination early — almost unusually early, in fact.
According to publicly available records and profiles, Ashraf joined the Muslim Students’ Federation (MSF), the student wing of the Indian Union Muslim League, when he was just 10 years old. It was not a casual association. He took the work seriously, attending meetings, participating in campaigns, and building the kind of grassroots network that would serve him well decades later.
Education
A. K. M. Ashraf completed his Bachelor of Arts in Kannada from Kannur University in March 2001 — a choice of language that reflects the unique linguistic landscape of Kasaragod, where Kannada is widely spoken alongside Malayalam.
He studied at Govinda Pai Memorial Government College, Manjeshwaram — and even there, his political instincts were on full display. During his college years, Ashraf was elected as the Students’ Council Chairman of his college — his first significant elected position, one that gave him a taste of public representation and shaped his understanding of what it means to lead.
His academic journey was not separate from his political formation — they happened simultaneously, each reinforcing the other.
Political Career & Journey
The MSF Years: Building a Foundation
A. K. M. Ashraf’s political career is best understood as a long, disciplined climb through the IUML’s organisational structure — starting from the very bottom.
At age 18, he became the President of the Manjeshwaram Panchayat unit of MSF — a remarkable achievement for someone barely out of school. From there, his rise was methodical:
- President, Manjeshwaram Constituency Committee of MSF
- President, Kasaragod District unit of MSF
- Working Committee Member, Kerala State unit of MSF
Each position came with greater responsibility, wider networks, and deeper exposure to the political ground realities of Kasaragod. By the time he moved from the student wing to the youth wing of IUML, Ashraf had already spent nearly a decade in organised politics.
Muslim Youth League (MYL): Growing Into Leadership
After MSF, A. K. M. Ashraf transitioned to the Muslim Youth League (MYL), the youth wing of IUML. Once again, he climbed steadily:
- President, Manjeshwaram Constituency Committee of MYL
- District General Secretary, Kasaragod MYL
- State Secretary, Muslim Youth League (Kerala)
Reaching the State Secretary level of MYL is a significant achievement in IUML’s organisational hierarchy. It placed Ashraf in the inner circle of one of Kerala’s most influential political organisations — and gave him visibility beyond just Kasaragod.
Entry Into Electoral Politics
Before his Assembly run, Ashraf served as a Manjeshwaram Block Panchayat member — elected in December 2015. Local body politics in Kerala is serious business. It is where a politician’s ability to deliver on the ground is tested most directly, and it gave Ashraf credibility at the constituency level.
2021 Kerala Assembly Election — The Historic Win
The 2021 Kerala Assembly election was A. K. M. Ashraf’s defining moment. Contesting from Manjeshwaram (Constituency No. 1) on an IUML ticket as part of the UDF, he faced two formidable opponents:
- K. Surendran — BJP Kerala President, the saffron party’s highest-profile candidate in the state
- V. V. Rameshan — CPI(M) candidate representing the LDF
The result, when it came on May 2, 2021, was one of the closest finishes in Kerala that year:
| Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. K. M. Ashraf (Winner) | IUML (UDF) | 65,758 | 38.14% |
| K. Surendran | BJP (NDA) | 65,013 | 37.70% |
| V. V. Rameshan | CPI(M) (LDF) | 40,639 | 23.57% |
Winning margin: 745 votes.
Defeating the sitting BJP Kerala President by under 800 votes made Ashraf’s win one of the most talked-about results in Kerala politics that year. It also cemented Manjeshwaram’s reputation as one of the state’s most unpredictable and high-stakes constituencies.
Ashraf was sworn in as a Member of the 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly on May 6, 2021.
2026 — The Rematch
As the 2026 Kerala Assembly election approaches, A. K. M. Ashraf is once again the UDF candidate for Manjeshwaram — and once again, K. Surendran (this time contesting as the NDA candidate) will be his primary opponent. The LDF has fielded K. R. Jayananda, Chairman of the Tulu Academy and CPI(M) District Secretariat member, completing what promises to be an intense three-way battle in Constituency No. 1.
Achievements & Public Work
- Serving MLA, 15th Kerala Legislative Assembly — representing Manjeshwaram since May 2021
- State Secretary, Muslim Youth League — a senior organisational position in one of Kerala’s most active political wings
- Defeated BJP’s then-state president in a constituency the saffron party had targeted heavily in 2021
- Block Panchayat member — demonstrated local governance credentials before entering the Assembly
- Known for maintaining strong constituency-level presence and regular public outreach in Kasaragod
Personal Life & Family
A. K. M. Ashraf is a married man and a father. His son, A. K. Shamil, is mentioned in his publicly filed election affidavit. His spouse is a homemaker. Beyond this, Ashraf has kept his family largely away from the political spotlight — a trait that is noted by supporters and observers in the Manjeshwaram area.
He is a businessman by profession alongside his political work, as declared in his election affidavit. He lives in the Kadambar area of Manjeshwaram — close to his roots and his constituency.
Net Worth & Assets
According to his self-declared affidavit submitted to the Election Commission of India during the 2021 Kerala Assembly election:
- Total Assets: ₹47,43,759 (approximately ₹47 Lakhs)
- Total Liabilities: ₹2,65,949 (approximately ₹2.6 Lakhs)
- Net Worth (approx.): ~₹45 Lakhs (as of 2021 disclosure)
It is important to note that these figures are from the 2021 affidavit. Figures declared in the 2026 election affidavit may differ, and readers should refer to official ECI disclosures for the most current data.
As per official records, A. K. M. Ashraf’s declared assets stand at approximately ₹47 lakhs as of his 2021 election affidavit.
Contact Details & Social Presence
| Platform | Detail |
|---|---|
| facebook.com/akmashrafmanjeshwaram | |
| @akm_ashraf | |
| MLA Office | Kerala Legislative Assembly, Thiruvananthapuram |
| Constituency | Manjeshwaram, Kasaragod District, Kerala — 671323 |
📌 Official MLA contact numbers are available on the Kerala Legislature’s official website: niyamasabha.nic.in. For the most current contact information, visit the Kerala Legislative Assembly’s Members directory.
8 Interesting Facts About A. K. M. Ashraf
- He joined MSF at the age of 10 — one of the earliest documented entries into student politics for a sitting Kerala MLA.
- His 2021 winning margin was just 745 votes — one of the tightest wins in the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections across all 140 seats.
- He defeated the BJP’s Kerala state president — K. Surendran was BJP’s most prominent face in that election.
- He studied Kannada literature — B.A. Kannada from Kannur University, reflecting Kasaragod’s unique linguistic identity.
- He was Students’ Council Chairman at Govinda Pai Memorial Government College, Manjeshwaram — his first elected role.
- He rose to State Secretary of Muslim Youth League — a significant leadership position in IUML’s organisational structure.
- He is a businessman — his election affidavit lists business as his primary profession alongside politics.
- The 2026 rematch is already building up — K. Surendran returns as his NDA opponent, making Manjeshwaram one of Kerala’s most-watched constituencies again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is A. K. M. Ashraf?
A. K. M. Ashraf is an Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) politician and the sitting MLA for Manjeshwaram constituency in Kasaragod, Kerala. He was first elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly in the 2021 elections, defeating then-BJP Kerala President K. Surendran by 745 votes. He is also the State Secretary of Muslim Youth League.
Q2: Which party does A. K. M. Ashraf belong to?
He belongs to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), part of the UDF (United Democratic Front) alliance in Kerala.
Q3: What is A. K. M. Ashraf’s 2021 election result?
In the 2021 Kerala Assembly election, A. K. M. Ashraf won Manjeshwaram with 65,758 votes (38.14%), defeating BJP’s K. Surendran (65,013 votes) by a margin of just 745 votes — one of the narrowest wins in that election cycle.
Q4: What is A. K. M. Ashraf’s MLA contact number?
Official MLA contact details are published on the Kerala Legislative Assembly’s website at niyamasabha.nic.in. Constituency-level contact is available at his Kasaragod office at Ceeyem Minnath, Kadambar-Manjeshwar (P.O.), Kasaragod — 671323.
Q5: What is A. K. M. Ashraf’s net worth?
According to his 2021 election affidavit filed with the Election Commission of India, his declared assets amount to approximately ₹47.43 lakhs, with liabilities of around ₹2.65 lakhs. This gives an approximate net worth of ₹45 lakhs as of 2021. Updated figures will be declared in the 2026 affidavit.
Q6: Is A. K. M. Ashraf contesting the 2026 Kerala election?
Yes. A. K. M. Ashraf is the UDF candidate for Manjeshwaram constituency in the 2026 Kerala Assembly election, scheduled for April 9, 2026. He faces K. Surendran (NDA) and K. R. Jayananda (LDF) as his main opponents. Results are expected on May 4, 2026.
