The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) staged a walkout and boycotted the Kerala Legislative Assembly on January 27, 2026. Their adjournment motion on the alleged Payyannur CPI(M) martyr fund scam and ensuing political violence was rejected by Speaker A.N. Shamseer. The Speaker ruled the issue lacked urgency under Rule 50, so detailed discussion was denied. This sparked protests from Opposition members who gathered in the House well with placards and slogans. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan criticized the Speaker’s action, saying it was taken “under government pressure” to block discussion on an issue embarrassing to CPI(M). Satheesan referred to exposés by former CPI(M) Kannur district committee member V. Kunhikrishnan, who alleged misuse of martyr funds and financial misappropriation linked to Payyannur MLA T.I. Madhusoodanan. Following these revelations, Congress workers marched demanding the MLA’s resignation but were attacked by CPI(M) activists with sticks, resulting in several hospitalizations. Satheesan claimed CPI(M) workers were armed and ready for violence. He called out a “contradiction” in CPI(M)’s stance, noting that whistleblower Kunhikrishnan was disciplined swiftly while senior leaders jailed in the Sabarimala gold theft case faced no party action. Satheesan also compared threats to Kunhikrishnan with past political violence against CPI(M) dissenters like RMP leader T.P. Chandrasekharan. Earlier, the Assembly saw calm as the Opposition eased protests on the Sabarimala gold theft. Satheesan said UDF would continue protests demanding Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan’s resignation and called for a fair SIT probe free from Chief Minister’s Office influence. Two UDF MLAs started a satyagraha outside the Assembly but promised to cooperate with House proceedings. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan responded that the protest was not against the government but directed at the Kerala High Court overseeing the SIT probe. He said the court was guiding all necessary actions.