Ending weeks of suspense, Kerala Chief Minister and CPI-M politburo member V S Achuthanandan on Wednesday took part in the march taken out by party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan

The chief minister, who is at logger heads with Vijayan, had said he would not take part in the march after Vijayan was charge-sheeted in the multi-crore SNC Lavalin corruption case.

The chief minister complained to the politburo against Vijayan, but the party's highest body stood by the party secretary.

Sources said the chief minister was under tremendous pressure from the party's leadership to participate in the march. General secretary Prakash Karat firmly told the chief minister that he should participate in the march, else face suspension from the party. 

The state leadership was firm that the chief minister -- as a disciplined party member -- has to take part in the march.