The opposition BJP and Congress alleged that the CPM has an 'unholy tie-up' with the SDPI. The disciplinary action was taken over the conclusion that events at Eerattupetta municipality defamed the party. The United Democratic Front (UDF) came to power again in the local body as the no-confidence motion fell flat.

Former local secretary KM Basheer and area committee member MH Sheneer are the ones demoted from the local committee. The district secretariat approved the decision to demote them.

At present, Eerattupetta only has an Ad Hoc committee as allegations of factionalism were raised here. Action has also been taken against municipality councillor and party local committee member Anas Parayil. He was suspended from the party for three months for allegedly making communal statements.

On December 18, SDPI state secretary KS Shan was hacked to death allegedly by RSS workers. Within 12 hours, BJP's OBC Morcha state secretary Renjith Sreenivasan was killed at his home allegedly by SDPI workers in retaliation. The police have since beefed up security in the state to avoid further violence.

(With inputs from agencies)