Hundreds of supporters of Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan took to streets in different parts of the state Sunday evening after he was ousted from the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) politburo.
People marched in support of the veteran Marxist at various places shouting pro-Achuthanandan slogans.
At Iranjalakuda in Trissur, a minor clash broke out between supporters of Achuthanandan and his archrival, state CPI-M secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.
To put an end to the squabbling in its Kerala unit, the CPI-M removed Achuthanandan from the party politburo while firmly backing Vijayan.
The CPI-M Central Committee chided Achuthanandan for violating party discipline in his demand that Vijayan be tried over the multi-million-rupee SNC Lavalin corruption case.
It said the party had "expected Comrade V.S. to fulfill his responsibilities as the chief minister and as a leader of the party".