Demands for transparency and disciplinary action intensify against party leadership following election victory.
PAYYANNUR – The ripples of internal discord within the CPM in Kannur show no signs of subsiding. Fresh posters appeared across Payyannur Municipality on Wednesday, reigniting the controversy surrounding the alleged misappropriation of funds raised in the name of slain party worker C.V. Dhanaraj.
The posters, printed and distributed widely, take a direct aim at the party leadership, urging them to “respect public sentiment.” The primary demands listed include the immediate expulsion of individuals involved in the financial irregularities and the public disclosure of all fund accounts. This development indicates that the cadre’s dissatisfaction remains potent, even as the party navigates a post-election landscape.
The Allegations and the Whistleblower
The controversy centers on claims that funds collected for Dhanaraj’s family, the construction of a party office, and the 2021 election campaign were diverted for personal or unauthorized use. These allegations were spearheaded by V. Kunhikrishnan, a prominent CPM figure and now MLA-elect, who emerged as a whistleblower against his own party colleagues.
Kunhikrishnan had specifically named Payyannur MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan and his associates as those responsible for the diversion of funds. Despite the internal friction, Kunhikrishnan secured a significant victory in the Payyannur constituency—a traditional CPM bastion—suggesting that his stand on financial transparency resonated deeply with the local electorate and the party’s grassroots base.
Unmet Promises of Transparency
The resurgence of the poster campaign highlights a lack of closure on the issue. Earlier, when the allegations first surfaced, CPM Kannur District Secretary K.K. Ragesh had assured that the accounts would be shared with party sympathizers and affected families. However, the protesters claim that this transparency has not yet materialized.
Local witnesses noted that while some posters were quickly removed by party loyalists, images of the demands had already circulated widely on social media, sparking intense debate within the global Malayali community and political circles.
Background
Payyannur remains one of the strongest strongholds for the CPM in Kerala, having recorded a staggering 62.49% vote share in the 2021 Assembly elections. The current internal strife represents a rare moment of public vulnerability for the party in its home turf, as the cadre continues to demand accountability for a fund raised under the solemn banner of a “martyr.”
