Kerala: Amidst the controversy, the CPM has taken action against whistleblower V. Kunhikrishnan

KANNUR: V. Kunhikrishnan, a member of the CPM Kannur district committee who exposed the Payyanur Martyrs’ Fund embezzlement controversy, has been expelled from the party. CPM Kannur district secretary K.K. Rajesh announced the decision at a press conference.

Rajesh stated at the press conference that Kunhikrishnan had become a tool for the opposition to attack the government. He said that all the issues raised by Kunhikrishnan had been resolved in 2022. “Even after becoming a district committee member, some issues were raised. Kunhikrishnan personally insulted T.I. Madhusoodanan.” K.K. Rajesh further added that the attitude of putting the party on the defensive by raising false issues would not be tolerated. The controversy began with Kunhikrishnan’s revelation that Payyanur MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan and others had embezzled Rs. 46 lakh from the Dhanaraj Martyrs’ Fund. Kunhikrishnan had alleged that this fraud came to light when he was the secretary of the Payyanur area committee and that millions of rupees had been embezzled from the 2011 election accounts. Kunhikrishnan responded that he had expected this decision. The senior leader said that it would be pointless to call himself a communist and not react to the corruption now prevalent in the party. Kunhikrishnan said he was forced to react after realizing that the party was deviating from its usual path and abandoning communist values.