On January 26, 2026, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expelled Kannur district committee member V. Kunhikrishnan from its primary membership. CPI(M) Kannur district secretary K.K. Ragesh said Kunhikrishnan made public allegations over the collection of a martyrs’ fund in a TV interview. Ragesh accused Kunhikrishnan of acting as a tool for party enemies by repeating issues already settled in April 2022. He said the interview was "deliberately timed" before the upcoming Assembly elections and was like "stabbing the party in the back." The party had investigated the claims earlier and found them baseless. Ragesh also said Kunhikrishnan tried to "personally defame" CPI(M) legislator T.I. Madhusoodanan by linking him to land deals and cooperative bodies where he holds no official position. An inquiry commission concluded this was a planned attempt to harm Madhusoodanan’s image, a finding Kunhikrishnan accepted. The CPI(M) leader further alleged that Kunhikrishnan leaked internal party information, which Kunhikrishnan had admitted in his statements. Ragesh said the party could not tolerate such conduct driven by "personal animosity" and a "vindictive mindset." He ended by saying CPI(M) was "strong enough to politically confront and overcome such challenges."