Speaker describes Surjeet as most inspiring leader

New Delhi, Aug 1 (UNI) Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today said the country had suffered an irreparable loss in the death of veteran CPM leader Harkishan Singh Surjeet who had been one of the tallest leaders of the country and one of the main architects of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

In a condolence message to his family, Mr Chatterjee said that for him, it was a personal loss as he had always enjoyed Mr Singh's kind affection and guidance as a humble member of the party.

Observing that it was under Comrade Surjeet's leadership that the CPI(M) had come to be known as the leading Leftist party working for the emancipation of the working classes and vulnerable sections of the community.

"His principled fight was for the establishment of a democratic way of the life based on secularism and preservation of the rights of the peasants, workers and the common people of the country.

"I am sure the message of his life will continue to be a beacon to all the millions of people in the country who are engaged in fighting against divisiveness and fundamentalism and for the establishment of the rights of the citizens," Mr Chatterjee said.

UNI KAS PK AS1816