Pinarayi accuses Kunhikrishnan of allying with CPI(M) rivals to defeat the party in Payyanur

Keralam Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday (August 29, 2026) accused Independent MLA V. Kunhikrishnan of allying with and working against rivals Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), which he said contributed to the defeat of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Payyan Assembly elections.

Mr. Vijayan was speaking at a CPI(M) program organized to explain the party’s stand on its defeat in the Payyannur Assembly constituency, which is considered one of its strongholds.

Mr. Kunhikrishnan, a former CPI(M) leader, leveled corruption charges against party leaders in Payyannur and was later expelled. He subsequently ran as an independent candidate supported by the United Democratic Front (UDF) and won the seat.

Mr. Vijayan said the party’s defeat in Payyannur could not be explained only by factors within Kerala as the constituency traditionally enjoyed strong support from the CPI(M) and the LDF.

“Alliance with Enemies”

“What happened here was that there were people who, while remaining part of the party, played into the hands of its opponents. While they were in the leadership of the party, efforts were made to destroy the credibility of the party and alliances were made with the enemies of the party,” he said.

Mr. Vijayan said the party was taking seriously the loss of support it suffered in Payyannur. The CPI(M) vote share, which was over 62% in 2021, has come down to around 44% this time, he said.

He said that the UDF had secured around 49% votes in the constituency, but the main problem for the CPI(M) was the leakage of the votes it had secured earlier.

“The fact that about 18% of people who were in the party earlier did not identify themselves with the party or the LDF this time is something we take 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.

Accusing Mr Kunhikrishnan of becoming “an ax handle in the hands of the enemy”, he said his actions were not aimed at helping the party but at damaging it.

Mr. Vijayan also criticized the UDF government, alleging its nexus with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), citing issues including PM SHRI and appointment of members to the Waqf Board.

He further claimed that following the protests, Vande Mataram was not sung at official functions in Kerala on Independence Day, while its full version was sung at the AICC headquarters in New Delhi and in Congress-ruled states.

Published – 29 Aug 2026 21:05 IST