Buddhadeb Bhattacharya passes away

Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the former chief minister of Bengal and leader of the CPM, reportedly passed away on Thursday morning, according to news agency PTI, which quoted CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim. Bhattacharya was suffering from multiple health issues and had not been feeling well. It was said that he was having a lot of trouble breathing and passed away at home in Kolkata. 

He is survived by his wife Meera and son Suchetan.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, has expressed her sorrow at Bhattacharya’s passing. She noted that as part of his final ceremonies, the former CM will receive ceremonial honors. 

Bhattacharya was the second and last chief minister of the CPM in the 34 years that the Left Front ruled Bengal. He held the position from 2000 to 2011 for a total of 11 years in a row. Only after his tenure did the Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, record a historic victory in the Bengal Assembly elections, bringing an end to the eastern state’s 34-year Communist rule.

CM of Bengal with the longest tenure, Jyoti Basu, was succeeded by Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.

In 2015, Bhattacharya left the CPI(M) politburo and central committee, and in 2018, he gave up his position in the state secretariat of the party. For the most part, he has not made many public appearances lately. He was residing on Kolkata’s Palm Avenue in a two-room government apartment.