In a disturbing development from Kerala’s Kannur district, the election office of independent candidate V. Kunjikrishnan has been abruptly closed amid reported intimidation by CPI(M) activists. Once a prominent CPI(M) figure, Kunjikrishnan is now contesting with UDF support against the ruling left’s dominance in Payyanur.
The office, set up in Kothayi Mukk, was vacated after the owner buckled under threats from local party workers. ‘Serious repercussions were implied, leaving us no choice,’ revealed a supporter. Kunjikrishnan lambasted the move as an attack on electoral democracy.
Backstory reveals Kunjikrishnan’s ouster from CPI(M) after he blew the whistle on fund mismanagement tied to a martyr’s memorial. Since then, he alleges relentless harassment: slogan-shouting mobs and explosive bursts near his residence, terrifying his wife and children.
CPI(M)’s decision to field the accused MLA again pushed Kunjikrishnan into the fray, with Congress facilitating his UDF-independent status through RSP channels. He remains undeterred, claiming propaganda hasn’t dented his resolve but physical threats aim to isolate him politically.
Polling against T.I. Madhusudanan’s formidable 2021 margin, this episode highlights volatility in Payyanur’s political landscape. With by-elections looming, authorities face pressure to ensure unhindered campaigning, safeguarding Kerala’s vibrant democratic traditions amid rising frictions.