Kannur (Kerala) | Independent MLA V Kunhikrishnan on Thursday asserted that he is not part of the Congress-led UDF, though the front's support had contributed to his victory in the Assembly election.

The Payyannur MLA made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters over the CPI(M)'s allegation that the torching of a shed at a shrimp farm owned by his close associate T Purushothaman was part of a larger conspiracy, and that party workers were not involved in the incident.

A former CPI(M) leader, Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the party after raising corruption allegations against leaders in Payyannur, including former MLA T I Madhusoodanan.

He also levelled allegations of fund misappropriation by party leaders in a book he authored.

Rejecting the CPI(M)'s claim that the fire was part of a conspiracy to frame the party, Kunhikrishnan alleged that the Left party had a history of distancing itself from criminal acts until those responsible were identified.

"They have been saying the same thing all along. In the case of attack on the Purushothaman's house too, they claimed it was not their workers. But when the accused were caught, they were all CPI(M) and DYFI workers.The people of Payyannur know that," he said.

He alleged that the CPI(M) had long followed a pattern of orchestrating crimes and later attempting to shift the blame to others.

Kunhikrishnan also objected to the party describing the incident as merely the burning of a shed.

"It was not just a shed. It contained feed, machinery and several items connected with the shrimp farm. Everything was destroyed in the fire, resulting in substantial financial loss. The CPI(M) leadership is trying to downplay the incident by calling it just a shed," he alleged.

Responding to a question on why UDF leaders had not publicly defended him despite repeated attacks by the CPI(M), Kunhikrishnan said he was never a member of the opposition front.

"I am not UDF. I have been saying that from the very beginning. The UDF supported me in the election and that support certainly helped me win. But Payyannur is not a constituency where one can win solely with UDF votes," he said.

He claimed that besides UDF supporters, he had also received votes from CPI(M) sympathisers and neutral voters.

"It was the combination of UDF support, votes from within the CPI(M) and neutral voters that helped me win. Since I am not part of the UDF, there is no need for the front to intervene in this issue as a political party," he said.

Asked why Purushothaman appeared to be repeatedly targeted, Kunhikrishnan referred to remarks made earlier by former MLA Madhusoodanan.

"The former MLA himself publicly accused Purushothaman of trying to destroy the CPI(M). I believe there is an attempt to target him," he alleged.

Kunhikrishnan also confirmed that he had assigned his lawyer to give a reply to a legal notice issued against him over alleged defamatory references made in his book.

Earlier, CPI(M) district secretary KK Ragesh, addressing a gathering, said that anti-party campaigns were carried out alleging that a shed was set on fire.

"If the party wanted to act in such a manner, you should understand that the party in Payyannur has the capability not just to demolish Purushothaman's shed, but to completely dig up everything beneath it. Nobody should assume that just because of an election defeat, the party in Payyannur has washed away or ceased to exist," he said.

He said that the CPI(M) is demanding the police conduct an urgent and proper investigation, and the real culprit must be caught.

"We will not allow the party to be subjected to attacks by misleading the public. Therefore, whoever is responsible must be caught," he said.