Kerala CPI(M) leader MV Jayarajan says expelled leaders can return to party if they “rectify their mistake”

Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) State Secretariat member MV Jayarajan has caused a stir in political circles by signaling that leaders branded as class enemies and expelled from the party could seek reinstatement if they course-correct, demonstrate tangible ideological correction and abide by the party’s core constitutional principles of democratic centralism.

Speaking to a local TV channel in Kannur on Sunday (July 5, 2026), Mr. Jayarajan appeared to be offering an olive branch to CPI(M) dissidents-turned-independent United Democratic Front (UDF) MLAs TK Govindan and V. Kunhikrishnan, who represent Payparamba and Taliparastityannur assembly

“The sacked senior leaders like KR Gouri and MV Raghavan ideologically reconciled with the party at the end of their lives. If Mr Kunhikrishnan and Mr Govindan correct their mistakes, the CPI(M) sees no reason why they should not be readmitted into the party fold,” he said.

CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan said Mr Jayarajan had only reiterated the universal communist doctrine that members expelled for betraying the party’s labor cause could make amends and seek readmission.

“However, Mr TK Govindan, Mr Kunhikrishnan and G Sudhakaran played the party false for their own political ambitions and won on the UDF ticket. The CPI(M) will continue to strongly criticize their back-and-forth behaviour,” he said.

Notably, the CPI(M) expelled Mr. Kunhikrishnan, a senior leader and Kannur district committee member of the party in January, on charges of agenda-stealing and backstabbing for making “baseless” allegations of misappropriation of funds collected for the welfare of the party’s martyrs’ families and acting as a tool in the party’s hands.

Mr TK Govindan faced the ax for suggesting nepotism in the nomination of PK Shyamala, wife of Mr MV Govindan, as the LDF candidate in Taliparamba.

Self-criticism

Mr Jayarajan appeared to indicate deep introspection and self-criticism in the party, perhaps catalysed by the defeat in the 2026 parliamentary polls, and admitted that the selection of candidates in Payyannur was “flawed”.

Mr MV Govindan said the CPI(M) had “self-critically examined” the various factors behind the LDF’s defeat, including the selection of candidates.

Kunhikrishnan’s answer

Mr. Kunhikrishnan said that Mr. Jayarajan’s words were not out of place and may have carried the imprimatur of the CPI(M) top leadership. He told reporters in Kannur that he felt vindicated that the party belatedly realized its mistake in fielding TI Madhusoodanan in Payyannur.

“However, there is a dichotomy between Mr. Jayarajan’s outreach and his repeating the stance that I have harmed the party. Let the CPI(M) explain what wrongdoing I have committed,” he said.

Published – 05 Jul 2026 15:52 IST