Vice President condoles Jyoti Basu's death

New Delhi, Jan 17(ANI): Vice President M. Hamid Ansari on Sunday deeply condoled the demise of veteran leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu, saying that his sagacity and leadership at both the State and the national level have been a source of inspiration and guidance, and his demise leaves a void which will be very difficult to fill.

In his condolence message Ansari said that Basu made significant contributions to public life, and especially to the development of West Bengal.

"I have learnt with great shock and deep anguish the unfortunate passing away of veteran leader and former Chief Minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu. His demise is deeply mourned by the vast numbers of his friends and admirers in the country," Ansari said.

"His demise leaves a void, which will be very difficult to fill. My wife joins me in conveying our heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and wide circles of friends and admirers and pray to give them strength to withstand this loss," he added.

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.

On Friday, doctors at the hospital said in a medical bulletin that his condition was very critical and hope for his survival was receding.

Basu served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for 24 years from 1977 to 2000. (ANI)