Pinarayi accuses Kunhikrishnan of joining hands with CPI(M)’s rivals to defeat party in Payyanur

Keralam Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday (August 29, 2026) accused Independent MLA V. Kunhikrishnan of joining hands with the rivals of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and working against it, which he said contributed to the Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) defeat in Payyannur in the Assembly election.Mr. Vijayan was speaking at a CPI(M) programme organised to explain the party’s position on its defeat in the Payyannur Assembly constituency, considered one of its strongholds.Mr. Kunhikrishnan, a former CPI(M) leader, had raised corruption allegations against party leaders in Payyannur and was later expelled. He subsequently contested as an Independent candidate backed by the United Democratic Front (UDF) and won the seat.Mr. Vijayan said the party’s defeat in Payyannur could not be explained merely by factors within Keralam, as the constituency had traditionally enjoyed strong support for the CPI(M) and the LDF.‘Alliances with enemies’“What happened here is that there were people who, while remaining part of the party, played into the hands of its opponents. While being at the leadership level of the party, efforts were made to destroy the party’s credibility and alliances were established with the party’s enemies,” he said.Mr. Vijayan said the party viewed seriously the loss of support it had suffered in Payyannur. The CPI(M)’s vote share, which was over 62% in 2021, had fallen to around 44% this time, he said.He said the UDF secured around 49% of the vote in the constituency, but the major concern for the CPI(M) was the leakage of votes it had previously secured.“The fact that around 18% of the people who used to stand with the party did not align with the party or the LDF this time is something we view with extreme seriousness,” he said.‘Steps to be taken’Mr. Vijayan said the party would take necessary steps to regain the trust of those who had moved away from it.He accused Mr. Kunhikrishnan of becoming an “axe-handle in the hands of the enemy”, saying his actions were aimed not at helping the party but at damaging it.Mr. Vijayan also criticised the UDF government, alleging a nexus with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and citing issues including PM SHRI and the appointment of members to the Waqf Board.He further claimed that following protests, Vande Mataram was not sung at official events in Keralam on Independence Day, while its full version was sung at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi and in Congress-ruled States. Published - August 29, 2026 09:05 pm IST