CPM Leader Jyoti Basu Dies at 95

After a daring struggle of 17 days with his falling organs, veteran Communist and former chief-minister of WestBengal passed away today at 11.47 AM. On 1 January, 2010, Basu was admitted to AMRI hospital, Salt Lake City, Kolkotta, after feeling unwell. On 16 January, 2010, his health condition became extremely critical and he was suffering from multiple organ failure.

CPM Leader Jyoti Basu

Another pillar of Communism in India has fallen. Such was his charismatic personality that it is rare his voice was ever ignored in Delhi. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described Basu as one of the “great sons of India”. Union finance minister P Chidambaram who came to the city on Sunday paid his last tribute calling him a “colossus” in Indian politics. “His death marked the end of an era in Indian politics,” said film-maker Mrinal Sen.

Born on 8 July, 1914 and completed his undergraduate study in 1935.  Persued his higher study in Law at  London. It was in England that Basu was introduced to the activities of politics through the Communist Party of Great Britain. There he was inspired by noted Communist Philosopher and prolific writer Rajani Palme Dutt. In 1940 he completed his studies and qualified as a Barrister at the Middle Temple and returned to India and later entered politics in 1940.

He served as the Chief minister of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000, making him India’s longest-serving CM as of 2010 of any Indian state. He was a member of the CPI(M) politburo from the time of the party’s founding in 1964 until 2008. He is survived by his son Chandan Basu. As per his last wish, his body will be donated to hospital for research on 19 January, 2010.

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