Kannur (Keralam) | Independent MLA V Kunhikrishnan on Sunday alleged that the CPI(M) had made no attempt to rectify its mistakes following its defeat in its stronghold of Payyanur.

He was speaking to reporters in response to Leader of Opposition in the Keralam Assembly Pinarayi Vijayan's allegation that Kunhikrishnan, who won the Payyanur seat as an Independent, had worked against the CPI(M) in collusion with its opponents.

The CPI(M) on Saturday organised a gathering to explain its position following its defeat in Payyanur, which was once considered an unbreachable fortress of the party.

Kunhikrishnan, a former CPI(M) worker, was expelled from the party after he raised allegations of corruption in funds collected for the family of a party martyr.

He contested the Assembly election as an Independent candidate backed by the UDF and secured victory in Payyanur.

Responding to Vijayan's remarks, Kunhikrishnan said the tone of the statement amounted to a threat.

"What we can understand from this is that the CPI(M) leadership is still trying to move forward with threats. What everyone realises through this speech is that, in reality, there is no effort on the part of the CPI(M) to correct its mistakes," he said.

He said the CPI(M) central leadership, including Vijayan, had earlier admitted that there had been a lapse in candidate selection in Payyanur and Thaliparamba, and that the State Committee had also taken a decision based on it.

"What we can see is that the speeches by Vijayan and District Secretary K K Ragesh were of a nature that challenged that decision," he said.

Kunhikrishnan said the party was repeating the same allegations it had made since his expulsion.

"When Vijayan arrived to explain the party's policy, it was expected that he would convince the public about these issues. However, it is understood that he was not ready to provide such an explanation or even mention anything related to it," he said.

On a reported challenge by the district secretary that Kunhikrishnan would have to answer in court, he said he would contest any case filed against him.

"If a case comes to court, one has to contest it. There is no way forward without contesting the case. That isn't a challenge," he said.

Kunhikrishnan said no case had so far been admitted by the court in connection with the election matter, and claimed that the petition had several defects.

Responding to Vijayan's statement that the CPI(M) had always been clear in communicating with the people and that there had only been a lapse in vigilance regarding neutral voters in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said the party had adopted an approach of protecting those who had committed wrongdoing.

"I stated in my book that the party leadership took a stand to protect those who committed wrongs and to crucify those who pointed them out. That is the same thing they are still saying. Other than that, they haven't said anything new," he said.

Kunhikrishnan said he had raised the issue within the party for around four-and-a-half years but received no response till his expulsion.

He said he had asked the CPI(M) leadership, through the media, to explain the allegations contained in his book before its release, but they had not done so.

Responding to Ragesh's allegation that Kunhikrishnan had won with BJP votes, the Independent MLA disputed the BJP vote figures cited by the CPI(M) leader.

"What K K Ragesh said about the BJP votes — that the BJP received 18,000 votes in the last election — is pure nonsense. They often resort to twisting the vote counts to suit their convenience," he said.

"All the votes the BJP receives over time are not strictly BJP votes. Negative votes do go to the BJP. Those expressing protest against the CPI(M) cast their votes for the BJP," he said.

"Votes shift in various ways. Many such people have voted for me," he said.

He reiterated that he had not entered into any deal with any political front during the election.