In a curious political development, a CPI(M) local committee in Ernakulam on Thursday asked the district committee to initiate action against Thripunithura area committee secretary C N Sundaram for constructing a palatial house. Sundaram is a leader of the faction led by CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

The demand has embarrassed the party leadership, which is known to have embraced a luxurious lifestyle.

Sources said Sundaram is a full-time party worker and has no known source of income. Hence, his construction of a huge house has raised suspicion. The district committee is likely to discuss the matter in the next meeting.

Three years ago, much heat had been generated with the party after Pinarayi Vijayan constructed a splendid house at his native place Pinarayi. But it was not Vijayan who faced party’s wrath, but three CPI(M) activists who had gone to see their leader's house. They were ousted from the party on the ground that they had gone to see the party secretary's house without permission from the leadership.