Jayalalithaa pays tributes to CPI leader AB Bardhan

Chennai, Jan 3: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Jan 2 paid rich tributes to CPI stalwart A B Bardhan, who died today, saying he was the epitome of political decency and selfless service.

Jaya said she was "deeply saddened" by the demise of the veteran leader, who in his long political career had distinguished himself by his selfless service to the cause of the working classes, the poor and deprived.

"At various turning points in India's recent political history, A B Bardhan's ability to negotiate and bring various political forces together played a significant role. Bardhan was the epitome of political decency and selfless service."

"I have had the privilege of sharing several public platforms with him and he has graced my home with his presence on many occasions," she said in a statement.

Bardhan's demise was a "great and irreparable loss to India's political firmament", she said.

The 92 year-old CPI veteran, hospitalised on December 7 after he suffered a paralytic stroke, breathed his last this evening in a hospital in Delhi.

PTI