President condoles passing away of Basu

New Delhi, Jan.17 (ANI): The President of India, Pratibha Devisingh Patil, on Sunday condoled the passing away of the former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu.

In her condolence message, Patil said: "Shri Jyoti Basu earned the unique distinction of being the longest serving Chief Minister of any state from the late seventies to the year 2000."

"During his political career he displayed his abilities as a leader of the people, an able administrator and an eminent statesman. In the years after he relinquished the Chief Ministership, he continued to be looked upon as an elder statesman, whose advice was sought by many political leaders in the state," she added.

"In his passing away, the nation has lost a veteran and an eminent public figure," the statement concluded. (ANI)