Heavy security blanketed Payyanur on Wednesday as ousted CPI-M stalwart V. Kunjikrishnan launched his provocative book, escalating charges of financial wrongdoing in Kerala’s party apparatus. The Kannur venue, emblematic of Left resilience, hosted a packed house under High Court-ordered protection, spotlighting turmoil in the Dharmaraj Martyr Fund.
His expulsion followed public allegations that sparked outrage in the district unit; leaders deemed it undisciplined conduct. Launching ‘Netrutvathile Anikal Thiruthanam’ (Cadre’s Duty to Fix Leadership), Kunjikrishnan clarified his crusade aims to heal, not harm, invoking the party’s ethos of open critique.
Now, he lamented, disagreement spells enmity. He decried vanishing oversight, with martyr tributes siphoned off and culprits shielded by hierarchy. Warning of a West Bengal-style implosion – after long rule – he beseeched cadres: ‘Intervene now to save Kerala CPI-M.’
Kunjikrishnan shared tales of social media backlash. Chief speaker Joseph C. Mathew, bounced as IT secretary in Achuthanandan-Vijayan strife, lauded the work as truth-telling, dedicated to Achuthanandan, who faced similar ostracism for dissent.
‘Payyanur bears the onus to probe these claims,’ Mathew declared. Robust policing prevented clashes, wrapping the event incident-free. Kunjikrishnan’s revelations continue fueling debate across CPI-M’s southern stronghold.