Former West Bengal CM and Marxist icon Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passes away at 80

Bhattacharjee reportedly passed away at his South Kolkata residence at 8:20 am. He is survived by his wife Meera Bhattacharjee and son Suchetan. 

"Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's mortal remains will be preserved on Thursday and will be kept at Alimuddin (party headquarters) from 10:30 am on Friday for common people to pay their last respect. 

"His last journey will begin from Alimuddin at 4 pm," said CPI-M state secretary Md. Salim.

His body has been taken to Peace World mortuary on Thursday as his tearful wife Meera Bhattacharjee and son Suchetan accompanied the hearse. His mortal remains will be donated for research to NRS Medical College and Hospital.

The former Chief Minister, who was suffering from pancreas related health issues, was admitted to hospital in July 2023 with lower respiratory tract infection and Type II respiratory failure.

The CPI-M stalwart remained the Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011.

The West Bengal government declared a holiday on Thursday in his honour while declaring a ceremonial honour tomorrow. 

ALSO READ: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: A 'capitalist communist', poet and face of Bengal's fractured industrialisation

His political journey

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee was known for his unconventional stance towards the policies, economy in contrast to the Left's ideas.

Under his tenure, Bhattacharjee was proactive in attracting investments besides maintaining the agricultural base of West Bengal, which lacked industries for decades of Left rule marred by militant trade unionism.

However, his bid to attract investments was met with stiff resistance from local people and then opposition parties after Tata went to build a car factory in Singur.

Singur witnessed protests which were led by then opposition leader and now Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee and her Trinamool Congress.

Besides Singur, Bhattacharjee's aim to build a chemical hub in Nandigram too faced hurdles in 2007. After police firing killed 14 protesters, the CPI-M government came under massive criticism from all corners.

The under-fire Bhattacharjee government eventually collapsed in the 2011 assembly elections with the 34-year Left rule being brought to an end by Mamata Banerjee's TMC.

Mournings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X, "Saddened by the passing of Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, former CM of West Bengal. He was a political stalwart who served the state with commitment. My heartfelt condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."

Mourning his demise, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X, "Shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of the former Chief Minister Sri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. I have been knowing him for last several decades, and visited him a few times when he was ill and effectively confined to home in the last few years.

"My very sincere condolences to Meeradi and Suchetan at this hour of grief. I communicate my condolences to the members of the CPI(M) party and all his followers. We have already taken a decision that we shall give him full respect and ceremonial honour during his last journey and rites."

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari posted on X, "I am deeply saddened to learn that former West Bengal Chief Minister; Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has left for his heavenly abode.

"Condolences to his family members and admirers. I pray that his soul finds eternal peace. Om Shanti."