Scores of people gathered to pay their final respects to former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the CPI(M)’s state headquarters on Friday.
The Marxist patriarch, who left an indelible mark on the state’s political landscape, died at the age of 80 at his residence on Thursday.
Mourners, some with teary eyes and others with clenched fists raised in a red salute, filed past to honour the man who will be remembered both for his commitment to the communist ideology and a pragmatic approach to industrialising the state.
Many carried banners and placards adorned with Bhattacharjee’s image, as his mortal remains, draped in the party's red flag, lay surrounded by flowers.
Veteran party members, along with a diverse array of supporters ranging from seasoned comrades to young idealists, paid their respects.
Buddhadeb donates his organs
Bhattacharjee’s mortal remains have been handed over to government-aided hospital NRS Medical College today.
In March 2006, the former CM had pledged his body with Ganadarpan, a non-governmental organisation.
His body will be donated to the state-run medical hospital for the purpose of medical research and education.
His cornea has also been donated to the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology in Kolkata.
Sources in NRS said Bhattacharjee’s body will be received at the anatomy department.
Many other Left leaders had pledged their bodies and organs.
Notably, former CM Jyoti Basu also pledged his body to the same organisation for medical research in 2003.
Among those who have passed away and their bodies donated to medical institutes include ex-LS speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Anil Biswas and Benoy Chowdhury.
Bengal, reportedly, has the highest number of body donations in the country with around 15 lakh having pledged with Ganadarpan. Of this, 4,000 donations have already happened.
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: A man who loved books
Bhattacharjee who was known for his spartan lifestyle served as chief minister from 2000 to 2011. He, who breathed his last in a two-room apartment, was a passionate reader and poet who immersed himself in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s works. Those who visited his place wondered whether it was a house full of books or house of books.
Besides his love for books, Bhattacharjee's interest and knowldege in terms in Kabaddi and cricket was commendable.
The octogenarian communist leader was a member of the Communist Party of India or politburo until 2015.
Suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), he had to severely curtail his activities since 2012.
Bhattacharjee studied Bengali literature at the Presidency College, Kolkata, and secured his BA in Bengali (Honors).
Later, as a teacher, he joined Adarsh Shankha Vidya Mandir school at Dum Dum.
Bhattacharjee, who took the reins from former CM of Bengal Jyoti Basu, quickly earned a reputation for pushing rapid industrialisation in West Bengal.
Mentored by Pramod Dasgupta, Bhattacharjee was recognised for his relatively progressive stance on industrialisation, which stood in contrast to the CPI(M)’s traditionally anti-capitalist financial policies.
During his tenure, Bhattacharjee spearheaded an industrialisation drive to boost investment and create jobs in West Bengal. His efforts led to significant developments, including investments in the IT and services sectors.
The defeat of Bhattacharjee, a stalwart of the CPI (M), in 2011 West Bengal Assembly Elections eventually brought the Left Front government after 34 years of uninterrupted rule to a halt.
Follow us
