Chief Minister Bhattacharya passed away
Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya died at his residence on Thursday. He was 80. Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya died at the age of 80. Bhattacharya breathed his last at his residence in Ballygunge at around 8:20 am, his family told India Today. He was suffering from age-related ailments. Bhattacharya is survived by his wife Mira and daughter Suchetana.
Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, a senior leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), took over as West Bengal chief minister in 2000 after party veteran Jyoti Basu took over. Bhattacharya lost to Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in the 2011 assembly elections, ending the Left Front’s 34-year-long rule in the state. During his tenure, there were protests over land acquisition for industries, which were led by current chief minister Mamata Banerjee.
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya passed away at the age of 80. Bhattacharya, a prominent leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), served as the Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011. Known for his intellectual acumen and cultural pursuits, he played a crucial role in shaping the state’s policies on industrialization and economic reforms.
His tenure was marked by efforts to revive West Bengal’s economy and promote development. Bhattacharya’s demise marks the end of an era in Bengal politics, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated public service and significant contributions to the state’s socio-economic landscape.
He is survived by his wife Mira and son Suchetan
Mr Bhattacharjee, also a former member of the CPM’s top decision-making body Politburo, served as Bengal chief minister from 2000 to 2011, succeeding Jyoti Basu in the top post. Mr Bhattacharjee led the CPM in the 2011 state elections when the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress registered a historic win, ending 34 years of Communist rule in the eastern state.
Known for his austere lifestyle, Mr Bhattacharjee breathed his last at the two-bedroom flat on Palm Avenue from where he once governed the state. As per his wish, his organs will be donated for medical research. His body will be kept at the CPM headquarters for his followers to pay their respects and his funeral procession will be taken out tomorrow.
Bhattacharjee joins politics full-time
Mr Bhattacharjee, an alumnus of Kolkata’s Presidency College, was a school teacher before joining politics full-time. After serving as an MLA and minister of state, she was made deputy chief minister in 2000 before Mr Basu stepped down. As chief minister, she led the CPM to victory in assembly elections in 2001 and 2006.
During Mr Bhattacharya’s tenure, the Left Front government adopted a relatively open policy towards business compared to the Jyoti Basu regime. Ironically, it was this policy and industrialisation-related land acquisitions that paved the way for the Left’s surprise defeat in the 2011 election.
Led agitation
The Trinamool Congress, which won just 30 seats in the 2006 elections, led the agitation against the Tata Motors plant in Singur. Eventually, in 2008, Ratan Tata decided to shift the project to Gujarat, citing Ms Banerjee’s agitation as the reason. This was a major setback for Mr Bhattacharya’s government. Equally damaging was the violence in Nandigram, where 14 people were killed in police action against a group protesting land acquisition for a chemical hub project.
Negative perception about state government’s land acquisition policies
Ms Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress capitalised on the anti-incumbency wave of Left Front rule and negative perception about the state government’s land acquisition policies and won 184 seats in the 2011 election. The Left’s defeat in the 2011 elections triggered a decline from which it has yet to recover. Over the next decade, the BJP overtook it as the main opposition and the Left is now a minor force in the state
which it had ruled unchallenged for decades. Bengal Governor C V Anand Bose offered his condolences to Mr Bhattacharya’s family. In her condolence message, Chief Minister Banerjee said she had a decades-long association with the veteran Left leader. “I am deeply saddened,” she said. My condolences to Mira Di, Suchetan and all CPM supporters. We have already decided that we will give him full respect and ceremonial honours during his last journey and rites.
His dedication to our shared ideals and ability to look ahead
Long-time comrade and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury described the news of Mr Bhattacharya’s death as “shocking”. “His dedication to the party, West Bengal, our shared ideals and his ability to look ahead will always serve as a guide.
Conclusion
He was ailing for a long time but he kept fighting. The doctors were also trying their best, CPM Bengal secretary Mohammed Salim said. “His body will be kept at the state office tomorrow as many leaders are arriving from Delhi and elsewhere.
Bhattacharya had donated his body for medical research like many Marxist leaders, including his predecessor and political mentor Jyoti Basu. State CPM leaders are trying to establish contact with the state health department for formalities.
