Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the veteran Left leader and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, passed away at his south Kolkata residence this morning. He was 80 years old and had been battling respiratory issues, which had led to frequent hospitalizations. Last year, Bhattacharjee was placed on life support after contracting pneumonia, but he made a remarkable recovery. He is survived by his wife, Meera, and son, Suchetan.
Bhattacharjee, a former member of the CPM’s top decision-making body, the Politburo, served as Bengal’s Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011, succeeding Jyoti Basu. He led the CPM in the 2011 state elections, where the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress ended the 34-year Communist rule in the state.
Known for his simple lifestyle, Bhattacharjee spent his final moments at his modest two-bedroom flat on Palm Avenue, from where he once governed the state. In line with his wishes, his organs will be donated for medical research. His body will be kept at the CPM headquarters for followers to pay their respects, with his last journey set for tomorrow.
An alumnus of Presidency College, Kolkata, Bhattacharjee was a school teacher before fully committing to politics. He served as an MLA and a state minister before being elevated to Deputy Chief Minister and subsequently taking over as Chief Minister in 2000. During his tenure, the Left Front government adopted a more business-friendly approach compared to the previous regime. However, policies on land acquisition for industrialization eventually led to the Left’s significant defeat in the 2011 elections.
The Trinamool Congress, which had only 30 seats in the 2006 elections, led a strong movement against the Tata Motors plant in Singur, causing Ratan Tata to relocate the project to Gujarat in 2008. This was a considerable setback for Bhattacharjee’s government. Additionally, the violence in Nandigram, where police action against land acquisition protests resulted in 14 deaths, further damaged the Left’s reputation.
The Trinamool Congress capitalized on the anti-incumbency sentiment and negative perceptions about the state government’s land policies, winning 184 seats in the 2011 elections. The Left’s defeat marked the beginning of its decline, with the BJP later emerging as the main opposition, reducing the Left to a minor force in the state.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed his condolences to Bhattacharjee’s family. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, reflecting on her long association with the veteran leader, expressed her deep sorrow and assured full respect and ceremonial honors during his last journey and rites. BJP Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, also conveyed his sadness and condolences to Bhattacharjee’s family and admirers.
Long-time comrade and CPM General Secretary Sitaram Yechury described the news of Bhattacharjee’s death as “shattering,” praising his dedication to the party, West Bengal, and their shared ideals. “His ability to look ahead will always function as a lodestar,” Yechury said.
