Lenin could have been poisoned by Stalin, new theory claims

London, May 5 (ANI): Popular theory maintains that Vladamir Lenin, the founder of Russian communism, died from the sexually-transmitted disease syphilis.

But a sensational new theory has now claimed that he might have died after being poisoned by his political successor Joseph Stalin.

Russian historian Lev Lurie, believes that while Lenin was already in poor health having suffered several strokes, Stalin may have finished him off after a bitter feud.

Lenin, who had initially supported Stalin's rise to power, later began aligning himself with Leon Trotsky.

In notes dictated before his death, Lenin criticises Stalin's rude manners and ambitious nature. He even suggested that Stalin should be removed from his position of General Secretary of the Communist Party.

Lurie indicated that poisoning would have later become Stalin's preferred method for dealing with his enemies.

"The funny thing is that the brain of Lenin still is preserved in Moscow, so we can investigate," the Daily Mail quoted Lurie as saying.

His embalmed body still lies on public display in a Red Square mausoleum almost 20 years after the collapse of the communist state he helped bring to life.

However, UCLA neurologist Dr. Harry Vinters put forward a separate theory maintaining that stress or a family medical history could have accounted for Lenin's death.

Lurie and Dr. Vinters reviewed Lenin's records for an annual conference at the University of Maryland School of Medicine on famous people's deaths. (ANI)