Hundreds of people gathered on Friday to pay their final respects to former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the CPI(M)'s state headquarters in Kolkata. The Marxist leader, known for his commitment to communist ideology and pragmatic approach to industrialising the state, passed away at the age of 80 at his residence on Thursday.
Mourners, many with tears in their eyes and others with clenched fists raised in a red salute, lined up to honour Bhattacharjee, news agency PTI reported. Carrying banners and placards adorned with his image, the crowd paid tribute as his mortal remains, draped in the party's red flag, were surrounded by flowers.
Among those present were veteran party members and supporters ranging from seasoned comrades to young idealists. Many recalled Bhattacharjee's efforts in improving education, healthcare, and industrial development, which significantly shaped the social and economic landscape of West Bengal, according to PTI. His pro-industry policies, though debated, were remembered for laying the groundwork for future progress.
On Friday morning, Bhattacharjee's body, wrapped in the CPI(M)'s red flag and covered with red roses, was taken to the West Bengal Assembly. His wife Meera Bhattacharjee and son Suchetan accompanied his mortal remains. TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, Power Minister Aroop Biswas, and Agriculture Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay were among those who paid floral tributes to the former CM.
Bhattacharjee had pledged his body for medical research and it will be taken to a hospital after the public pays their last respects, according to CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim. "Comrade Buddhadev Bhattacharya is immortal," a party post read on X.
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Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's Political Legacy
The former chief minister, a stalwart of the CPI(M), took over from party senior Jyoti Basu in 2000 and was known for his determined efforts to industrialise the state. However, his endeavours ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Left Front government after 34 years of uninterrupted rule. His tenure was also marked by agitations over land acquisition for industries, led by current Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Bhattacharjee's political journey saw him actively engage in attracting investors and big capital to set up industries in West Bengal, with the primary goal of generating employment opportunities for the youth. Despite his efforts, he could not lead the Left Front to victory for the eighth consecutive time in the 2011 assembly elections. Following the electoral loss, he stepped down from the CPI(M) politburo and central committee in 2015 and relinquished his membership of the party's state secretariat in 2018.
The veteran leader's demise marks the end of an era for the longest-serving democratically elected communist government in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, "He was a political stalwart who served the state with commitment. My heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti," in a post on X.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condoled Bhattacharjee's death, remarking, "He would be remembered for his work. I have known him for the last several decades, and visited him a few times when he was ill and effectively confined to home in the last few years," she said in a post on X.