Leaders across Political Spectrum Mourn Basu’s Death in Kerala

Leaders across Kerala’s political spectrum have expressed their grieve over demise of veteran CPM leader and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, reported The Hindu.

In separate messages, politicians described Basu as a leader of great personal qualities who made memorable contribution to the growth of the Communist movement in the country, the report said.

Condolence messages reaching newsrooms on Sunday specially metioned Basu’s administrative acumen, his role in taking the Communist movement to the political mainstream and the way he endeared himself to leaders cutting across political barriers, the report said.

CPM State secretary in Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan termed Basu as a leader who extremely related well with the people of Kerala and who played a key role in fostering the Left and democratic movement in the State, said report.

Finance Minister of state TM Thomas Isaac said that the manner in which Basu integrated parliamentary and organisational activities was an example to all political leaders and a big lesson for the CPM as well.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy described Basu as a leader who realised the role of the Left in Indian polity and tried to realise it in a pragmatic manner, said report.

Recalling his long friendship with Basu, veteran Congress leader K Karunakaran said that Basu’s words carried special weight at the Chief Ministers’ conferences, adding that he had also played a major role in removing the blind anti-Congress sentiment among the Left.

Veteran RSP leader K Pankajakshan said that Basu’s death was a loss not just for the people of Bengal but the whole nation, said report

Terming Basu the representative of an era, BJP State president V Muraleedharan said that he was a unique genius who contributed a new power and style to the democratic governance processes in the country, report said.