CPM Expels V. Kunhikrishnan Over Allegations Against Payyanur MLA
KANNUR: V. Kunhikrishnan, a district committee member who raised serious allegations of financial irregularities, including in the Dhanaraj Martyr Fund, against Payyanur MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan, has been expelled from the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Kannur District Secretary K.K. Ragesh announced Kunhikrishnan’s expulsion from the party’s primary membership following a district committee meeting held on Monday.
Kunhikrishnan had alleged widespread financial misappropriation under the leadership of Payyanur MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan, who also serves as a District Secretariat member. The allegations specifically pointed to irregularities in the Martyr Fund, the construction fund for the Payyanur Area Committee office, and the election fund for 2021.
During a press conference, K.K. Ragesh asserted that Kunhikrishnan had become a “tool for party enemies” and was spreading “falsehoods.” Ragesh claimed that Kunhikrishnan was deliberately raising issues on which the party had already made decisions. He further accused Kunhikrishnan of betraying the party from within by leaking information to the media. Ragesh suggested that there was a clear motive behind Kunhikrishnan’s current statements, especially with upcoming elections, and alleged that the allegations stemmed from personal revenge against Madhusoodanan.
The District Secretary reiterated that an audit report had been reviewed, confirming that no money was lost by the party and that no individual had personally embezzled funds. Ragesh criticized Kunhikrishnan for repeatedly bringing up an issue that the party had already investigated and settled, stating that he had “degenerated into a tool in the hands of those attacking the party.”
Earlier, the District Secretariat had assessed that Kunhikrishnan committed a severe breach of party discipline by publicly raising an issue on which the party had already taken action.
Kunhikrishnan’s allegations included irregularities amounting to lakhs in the 2011 Assembly election accounts and manipulation in the expenditure and accounting of funds collected in the name of Dhanaraj, who was killed on July 11, 2016. Kunhikrishnan stated that he was compelled to speak publicly because the party failed to take action despite his repeated internal complaints. He responded to the expulsion by saying that it was an expected action and that he has no plans to join any other political party.
The 74-year-old Kunhikrishnan has been a prominent leader within the CPM for over 50 years. He joined the party at the age of 24 and rose through the ranks, serving as Branch Secretary and Payyanur Area Secretary before becoming a District Committee member. He was previously removed from the Area Secretary position during a disciplinary action related to factionalism within Payyanur. Following this, he withdrew from active party work but later returned under pressure and became an invitee to the District Committee, eventually regaining his full District Committee membership at the last conference.