Kannur, Jun 9 (IANS): The CPI-M Saturday denied that it had any role in the murder of former party leader T.P. Chandrasekharan.

A statement from the party's Kannur district committee accused vested interests of spreading canards about the alleged involvement of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) in the May 4 killing.

The statement followed a reported confession by the prime accused, T.K. Rajeesh, that he had in the past committed crimes ordered by certain CPI-M leaders from Kannur.

"The CPI-M has no relation with Rajeesh and our party is being dragged into this case for no rhyme or reason," said the statement.

"We want the real accused should be (caught)," it said.

According to police, Rajeesh had said he had close relations with six CPI-M leaders in Kannur.

Rajeesh was arrested June 5 from a village on the Maharashtra-Goa border. Police said he masterminded the murder of Chandrasekharan, 51, a popular leader in Onchiyam.