Pall of gloom descends on political circles as Jyoti Basu passes away

New Delhi, Jan.17 (ANI): A pall of gloom has descend on political circles of the country with the passing away of Communist patriarch and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu who left for heavenly abode on Sunday morning at a private hospital following multi-organ failure at the age of 95.

Political leaders cutting across party line looked deeply moved by the death of Basu, who was described as 'the architect of first UPA government" and a "people's leader" whose death is being widely seen as "an end of an era" by politicians.

"I was fortunate that I could work with him. I was fortunate to receive his leadership, his love. He was my guide. He not only led the Communist party but also ruled the people's hearts," said former Lok Sabha Speaker and Communist leader Somnath Chatterjee.

"Jyoti Basu taught us to relate to people......I called him "People's leader"," Chatterjee added. .

"A sort of a father figure, a figure who has brought all of us in, and in the most difficult circumstances also... He was also immense inspiration for all of us. There were times when the party's decision will always be sacrosanct for him, whatever his individual opinion. And I think this a very enduring lesson for all of us. And I think even in his death he's lived a life of a person who fights. Even for 15 days when he was in the hospital the way he was fighting, it was only the motto of his life, never say give up," said Sitaram Yechury, Politburo member, Communist Party of India (Marxist).

CPI General Secretary A.B. Bardhan described, Basu's death as "a major setback for the party and the nation."

"Jyoti Basu was indeed one of the tallest leaders of contemporary India. He was a stalwart in Indian politics. He was committed to the cause of the weaker sections of the society and throughout his life he stood by those values. He was committed to his ideology and to a sense of idealism and it was this, that gave him the credibility and stature of a tall contemporary leader who played a very long innings both as a chief minister and also in public life," said Arun Jaitely

Union Agriculture minister and National Congress Party chief Pawar in his condolence message said: "The demise of Shri Jyoti Basu has left an unbridgeable void in Indian polity. Among the architects of modern India his contribution is incomparable. As the longest serving Chief Minister of India, Shri Basu's commitment to the cause of the common man and the welfare of the down trodden was a hallmark of his administration."

Pawar said Basu's passing away marks the end of an era of idealism and personal courage.

"The nation today has lost a veteran mentor and I deeply mourn the personal loss of a dear and trusted colleague," Pawar added.

Congress leader Digvijay Singh said: "He had a different kind of personality and we can say that we will not be able to see a second Jyoti Basu."

Former Railways Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal President Lalu Prasad Yadav said: "Jyoti Basu was the most respected leader."

Samajwadi Party chief Mulyam Singh Yadav described Basu's death as "a national loss."

"Central Government should complete Jyoti Basu's work," said veteran Bollywood and Bangla actor Mithun Chakraborty

Basu died at the AMRI Hospital of multiple-organ failure at 11.47 a.m. on Sunday. He was 95.

He was admitted to the hospital on January 1 with acute respiratory failure bordering on pneumonia. He was also undergoing treatment at the hospital for age-related ailments.(ANI)