CPM decides to expel Kannur District Committee Member over martyrs’ fund allegations

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has decided to expel Kannur district committee member V. Kunhikrishnan from the party for making serious allegations against Payyannur MLA T. I. Madhusoodanan and others.

The decision was taken at a CPM district secretariat meeting held on Sunday. The party is expected to formally announce the decision after the district committee meeting scheduled for Monday. Senior leaders, including E. P. Jayarajan, attended the district secretariat meeting.

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Party leadership assessed that Kunhikrishnan’s actions constituted a serious breach of party discipline. Sources said there was severe criticism against him during the Kannur district secretariat meeting. Leaders alleged that his public statements to the media were deliberately intended to defame the party.

Kunhikrishnan had accused the party leadership of protecting Payyannur MLA T. I. Madhusoodanan, alleging that the MLA embezzled the Dhanraj Martyrs’ Fund by issuing fake receipts. These allegations have come as a major setback for the Left party.

According to Kunhikrishnan, the misappropriation involved not only the martyrs’ fund but also the party office construction fund and the Assembly election fund. He has also announced plans to write and publish a book detailing the alleged embezzlement of approximately ₹1.5 crore.

The CPM is reportedly concerned that such serious financial allegations against a sitting MLA—made by a district committee member—could have serious political consequences as elections approach. The allegations were raised in Payyannur, considered a traditional stronghold of the party.

Kunhikrishnan claimed that the first instance of fraud occurred in the family assistance fund collected in the name of Dhanraj, a party worker who was killed by the BJP. He alleged that subsequent frauds were committed in the area committee office construction fund and the Assembly election fund.

He further stated that he was removed from the post of area secretary soon after he raised the issue internally. According to him, the decision to remove him was taken despite opposition from 17 out of 20 area committee members.

Kunhikrishnan said he had informed the then CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan about the alleged fraud in the Dhanraj Martyrs’ Fund at the AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. He also claimed that he repeatedly warned the party unit about the MLA’s alleged nexus with major real estate interests.

Meanwhile, Kunhikrishnan accused the CPM of using propaganda tactics to portray him as guilty, stating that the party was attempting to “turn a sheep into a dog.” He reiterated that he possesses concrete evidence to substantiate his allegations of fund misappropriation.