Thiruvananthapuram: CPM leader PK Kunjananthan, who was convicted for the murder of rebel Left leader TP Chandrashekharan died on Thursday night.

The 73-year-old had been undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College since January 14, 2019. On Sunday, Kunjananthan was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit after an infection in his abdomen worsened.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had visited him at the hospital on Wednesday. Kunjananthan is survived by wife Santha and their children Shabna and Shiril.

Kunjananthan, who is an area committee member of CPM in Panur, is the 13th accused in the murder case. Kunjananthan was convicted on January 22, 2014 in the TP Chandrashekharan murder case.

Kunjananthan played a key role in deepening CPM’s roots in Panur area in Kannur district. He was elected to the area committee even after being convicted. Kunjananthan has been a CPM Panur area committee member since 1980.

The CPM leadership had taken a stand that Kunjananthan was not involved in the murder of TP Chandrashekharan.