In Payyannur, Independent candidate V. Kunhikrishnan won the 2026 Kerala Assembly election by 7,487 votes against CPI(M) candidate T. I. Madhusoodanan, while A. P. Gangadharan contested from the BJP.Payyanur, in Kannur district, has a mix of urban centres and rural villages, with a literacy-driven electorate. Registered voters numbered around 2.3 lakh in 2021.The 2021 elections saw CPI(M) candidate TI Madhusoodanan (LDF) defeat UDF rival by a margin of 3,500 votes. Payyanur is traditionally a left-leaning stronghold, though BJP has been attempting expansion.