Not part of UDF, says Payyannur MLA Kunhikrishnan

Published 6 August 2026 · india

Independent MLA V. Kunhikrishnan on Thursday asserted that he was not part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, though the front’s support had contributed to

Independent MLA V. Kunhikrishnan on Thursday asserted that he was not part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front, though the front’s support had contributed to his victory in the Assembly election. The Payyannur MLA made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters over the Communist Party of India (Marxist)’s allegation that the torching of a shed at a shrimp farm owned by his associate T. Purushothaman was part of a larger conspiracy, and that party workers were not involved in the incident. A former CPI(M) leader, Mr. Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the party after raising corruption allegations against leaders in Payyannur, including former MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan. He also levelled allegations of fund misappropriation by party leaders in a book he authored.

Rejecting the CPI(M)’s claim that the fire was part of a conspiracy to frame the party, Mr. Kunhikrishnan alleged that the Left party had a history of distancing itself from criminal acts until those responsible were identified. Responding to a question on why UDF leaders had not publicly defended him despite repeated attacks by the CPI(M), Mr. Kunhikrishnan said he was never a member of the opposition front. “I am not in UDF. I have been saying that from the very beginning. The UDF supported me in the election and that support certainly helped me win. But Payyannur is not a constituency where one can win solely with UDF votes,” he said.

He claimed that besides UDF supporters, he had also received votes from CPI(M) sympathisers and neutral voters. “It was the combination of UDF support, votes from within the CPI(M) and neutral voters that helped me win. Since I am not part of the UDF, there is no need for the front to intervene in this issue as a political party,” he said. Kunhikrishnan also confirmed that he had assigned his lawyer to give a reply to a legal notice issued against him over alleged defamatory references made in his book. Madhusoodanan initiated legal action against Mr. Kunhiukrishnan over allegations in his book Nethruthwathe Anikal Thiruthanam, accusing the former legislator of financial misappropriation.

A legal notice issued claimed ₹1 crore in damages, public apology, and withdrawal of the allegedly defamtory claims, failing which civil and criminal proceeding will be taken. Issued through his counsel, the notice alleges that the book was published and widely circulated with extensive media publicity, leading readers to develop “hatred, contempt, and misconception “ against Mr. Madhusoodanan and the political movement he represents. It claims that the allegations were deliberately fabricated out of personal animosity and have caused irreparable damage to his political and public life. (With inputs from PTI)