Kerala High Court seeks MLA V Kunhikrishnan's response to plea challenging his 2026 election

The Kerala High Court on Thursday sought the response of MLA V Kunhikrishnan to an election petition challenging his election victory from the Payyannur constituency in the 2026 Kerala assembly polls [TI Madhusoodanan v V Kunhikrishnan & ors].

Kunhikrishnan is a former Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] district committee member who was expelled from the party after raising allegations over the handling of the party's martyrs' fund.

He contested the 2026 polls as an independent candidate backed by the UDF and defeated sitting CPI(M) MLA TI Madhusoodanan by 7,487 votes, ending the CPI(M)'s uninterrupted hold over the Payyannur constituency since 1967.

Madhusoodanan has now challenged Kunhikrishnan's election win before the High Court.

Justice G Girish today issued notice in the matter and posted the case for further hearing on September 8, 2026.

In his petition, Madhusudan has alleged that Kunhikrishnan indulged in corrupt practices during his election campaign and is therefore is liable to be disqualified under the Representatives of the People Act, 1951.

Madhusudan has, therefore, urged the Court to declare Kunhikrishnan's election void.

Apart from Kunhikrishnan, the petition has also arrayed BJP candidate AP Gangadharan and independent candidate Sandeep VK as respondents.

Advocates MV Amaresan, SS Aravind and Tinu Abraham appeared for Madhusudan.