Greens candidate claims she was told to withdraw over student visa

Sai Shraddha Suresh Viswanathan, a member of the Scottish Green Party, has revealed that she was asked to step down as a candidate due to concerns regarding her student visa status. This request came despite the fact that another candidate facing similar visa conditions, Q Manivannan, was allowed to stand for election. Viswanathan, originally from India and the current president of the National Union of Students (NUS) in Scotland, had been selected to be on the party list for the North East of Scotland in the Holyrood election.

Viswanathan participated in the party’s internal elections last year and secured the third position on the candidate list. However, she says that a party official contacted her in July with advice that she should withdraw her candidacy. The reason given was legal advice suggesting she might not be able to complete a full term as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) without guaranteed immigration status throughout the period. She expressed feeling “let down” by the party’s internal selection process and said that the experience had taken a “significant toll” on her wellbeing.

Contrastingly, Q Manivannan, who also had visa restrictions similar to Viswanathan’s, was permitted to run and was successfully elected as an MSP for the Edinburgh and Lothians East list. Following this outcome, the Scottish Greens have committed to supporting Manivannan as they assist with his application for a graduate visa, which would allow him to remain in Scotland. This comes after changes to Scottish election law in 2024, which permit candidates without permanent settlement rights in the UK to stand for the Scottish Parliament, provided they maintain their lawful right to remain.

The Scottish Green Party issued a statement emphasizing that no individual was blocked from standing due to visa status and reiterated that candidates are responsible for ensuring they meet all legal and eligibility requirements before participating in elections. They also highlighted their satisfaction with the guidance given to candidates and expressed pride in the diversity of the newly elected group of MSPs, including those from migrant backgrounds, calling it the party’s largest cohort ever with 15 members elected to Holyrood

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