THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPI has taken disciplinary action against leaders who challenged each other in a district council meeting of the party. CPI state council member PS Supal has been suspended and member R Rajendran has been warned following the altercation. Supal's suspension will be for three months.

The altercation happened in February in Kottarakkara during a meeting to select the district library council office-bearers. The party sought an explanation from both. The state council rejected the explanation given by Supal, who is pro-KE Ismail, and dismissed him for three months. The party accepted the explanation of R Rajendran who stands with R Rajendran.

Meanwhile, senior leaders came to the fore questioning the stand of CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran. Minister VS Sunilkumar said that the decision to suspend Supal and warn Rajendran is not right. He also said the suspension of Supal should be revoked. R Santhosh Kumar criticized Kanam Rajendran and said he made the party a slave of AKG Centre.

The rift within CPI became severe following the failure to implement the decision of state leadership in the election of district secretary and assistant secretaries.