OBITUARY

I join people of Sikkim in deeply mourning the death of Shri Jyoti Basu. Shri Jyoti Basu, popularly known as Jyoti Babu, passed away at 11.47 am today at the age of 95.

It was my privilege to have known him. Jyoti Babu was an able administrator, a good human being and a statesman among political leaders. This great patriot, a communist leader of rare repute, known for courage and determination was Chief Minister of West Bengal for 23 years.

Jyoti Babu was first elected to the Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1946 and ever since he never looked back. He was a driving force behind the transformation of the communists in playing an important role in the parliamentary system of governance. In a political career spanning seven decades, Jyoti Babu was a trail blazer standing solid as a rock in the face of adversity. He could have become the Prime Minister of the country after 1996 Lok Sabha elections but bowed down to the wishes of his Party. Even though he never contested the Lok Sabha polls he continued to influence national politics till the very end.

Kolkata is poorer today with the death of this remarkable bhadralok. West Bengal would never be the same again. In fact, in Jyoti Babu’s passing away the country has lost a charismatic leader whose service to the people would remain etched in the memory of the common masses.

May his son and other family members get strength to bear this great loss. May his soul rest in peace.