Former Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Passes Away, PM Modi Expresses Condolences

Former Chief Minister of West Bengal and Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharya passed away at his Kolkata home on Thursday morning after a prolonged illness. Bhattacharjee was 80 and is survived by his wife Mira and daughter Suchetana.

Bhattacharya was earlier admitted to a private hospital in Alipor with multiple ailments on July 29, 2023. He was diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infection and ‘Type 2’ respiratory failure. He had been suffering from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and other age-related ailments.

Bhattacharya took over as the chief minister of West Bengal in 2000 from party senior Jyoti Basu. During the 34 years of the Left Front rule in Bengal, Bhattacharya was the second and last CPM chief minister who held office for 11 consecutive years.

As Bhattacharya lost the 2011 assembly elections to Banerjee’s TMC, the CPI(M)-led Left Front’s 34 years of rule in the state came to an end — a loss from which it is yet to recover. Over the last few years, Bhattacharya stayed away from the public glare due to his deteriorating health and remained confined to his Palm Avenue apartment.

He was last seen in public when he surprised party workers by arriving unannounced at the Left’s rally at Brigade Parade Ground in Kolkata, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, with oxygen support. Bhattacharya had stepped down from the CPI(M)’s Politburo and Central Committee in 2015, and gave up membership of the party’s state secretariat in 2018.

Politicians express grief

The news of the veteran politician’s demise shocked politicians across the country.

Taking to social media platform X, Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari wrote, “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.”

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, in her condolence message on X, said, “Shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of the former Chief Minister Sri Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee. I have known 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.”

Congress also President Mallikarjun Kharge offered his condolences on X.

PM Modi called Bhattacharya a political stalwart who served the state with commitment. He condoled his death and wrote, “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.”