KOCHI: The party has come out with an explanation in the controversy that erupted following the death of former MLA and former member of the CPI state committee P. Raju. District Secretary K.M. Dinakaran said that some anti-party elements are trying to insult the party and create division by misleading Raju's family and spreading false propaganda.

Raju had been undergoing treatment for cancer for four years. He returned after taking leave while he was the party's district secretary. Raju was subjected to organisational action 13 months ago. He had approached the Control Commission and the State Executive to cancel the decision. The State Executive approved the action after examining the report and accounts of the commission appointed by the District Committee.

The claim that the Control Commission cancelled the action is untrue. It only recommended that there was a lapse on Raju's part and that the action be considered for mitigation considering his age and heritage.

The district committee had sought the opinion of the state executive on how to ease the process. Raju's death came in the midst of this. The party district council had arranged a befitting last rites for Raju. After paying his last respects at Raju's home, CPI state secretary Binoy Vishwam had also said that he was a leader who fought for the party.