But two years later, both Achuthanandan and Vijayan were suspended from the Politburo for taking their fight out in the public domain. Their suspension was later revoked.

Achutanandan had come under attack at the CPM Central Committee meeting in mid-June when his ministerial colleagues raised objection to his style of functioning.

Three ministers Thomas Isaac, M A Baby and P K Sreemati, known to be close to Vijayan, launched a no holds barred attack on the veteran leader. Isaac even demanded Achuthanandan's removal from the Chief Minister's post.

Achuthanandan said on Friday that it was for the party and people to decide whether he should continue in the post. While Achutanandan seemingly favours removal of Vijayan as the CBI proceeds to prosecute him in the SNC-Lavalin graft case, he has come under growing attacks from within the party.

Achutanandan had reportedly demanded the removal of Vijayan from the post of state secretary in a meeting of Polit Bureau earlier.