Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 28 (IANS): The Communist Party of India (CPI), the second largest alliance member in the ruling Left Front government in Kerala, is now caught in a spot of bother owing to an eruption of factional feud in the party.

The Kerala CPI is divided between its current state Secretary Kanam Rajendran and former state Minister and senior leader K.E. Ismail who lost the race for the state party Secretary's post.

Recent turn of events when an injury suffered by CPI legislator Eldho Abraham during a protest march on Tuesday are snowballing into a major issue within the party as well as the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government.

Anti-Rajendran posters surfaced in Alappuzha after Rajendran, known for his sharp criticism of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, turned silent since a few months back. These said Rajendran must quit for going soft on Vijayan.

The Ismail faction seized the opportunity provided by the posters and following a complaint registered by the party, the police arrested three CPI workers attached to its youth wing.

Those arrested and later released on bail were expelled from the party on Sunday.

A majority in the Alappuzha district of the CPI are up in arms against the sudden police action.

On Sunday, Rajendran defended his stance on the issue as party Secretary.

" The CM (Chief Minister) ordered a magisterial probe into the use of force against our party leaders at Ernakulam. This was ordered by the CM, after it was raised by me. Those who stuck the posters are those people who have no values of the party.

"And also please don't think that every day I have to criticise Chief Minister. The law will take its course. Also any party member can raise issues against anyone in our party forums," he said.

Even as Rajendran continues to defend his actions, the police on Sunday registered an FIR against various party leaders in Ernakulam for taking part in the protest march and taking on the police.