After the CBI named Vijayan an accused in the multi-crore SNC Lavalin scandal, Achuthanandan wanted his removal as the state party secretary and as head of the team of leaders undertaking the yatra, a party programme.

After the party’s central leadership stood by Vijayan, Achuthanandan announced he would stay away from the yatra. He also refused to inaugurate the yatra, which kicked off on February 2.

Since then, suspense had been building up in the party on whether Achuthanandan would take part in the concluding session of the yatra. Till noon on Wednesday, he kept everyone guessing. His sympathisers believed Achuthanandan would not share the dais with his “tainted” party secretary.

But indirect warnings from the party leadership and pressure from other constituents of the Left Democratic Front may have forced Achuthanandan to change his mind. RSP national secretary T J Chandrachoodan met him to persuade him to join the event.

Vijayan had on Tuesday warned of serious consequences if any party leader kept away from the yatra.

A section in the party feels that had Achuthanandan failed to turn up at the function, he would have stood at the risk of being hauled up by rivals. The party leadership had allowed the veteran to follow his own stand in the Lavalin issue, but it was reluctant to accept his noncompliance of the party line over the yatra, a party programme.

While the party leadership would feel relieved by Achuthanandan’s appearance at the yatra function, also attended by party national general secretary Prakash Karat, the two rivals gave a glimpse of the undercurrents, indirectly attacking each other in front of a mammoth gathering.

Taking a dig at the larger-than-the-party image of Achuthanandan, Vijayan quoted an anecdote and said a leader gained support and strength only when he remained with the party.

In his speech, Achuthanandan said the CPI(M) was against and above corruption. He said the Lavalin case would be fought politically and legally.