Kolkata, January 17
Veteran Communist leader Jyoti Basu, who remained West Bengal’s Chief Minister for 24 long years and almost became the prime minister in 1996, died here on Sunday after a prolonged illness. He was 95.

Admitted to AMRI Hospital near his Salt Lake residence here with severe pneumonia on January 1, the Marxist legend lost his fortnight-long battle to the disease that led to complications and multi-organ failure. He breathed his last at 11:47 am, doctors said. The sad news was announced to mediapersons and a large number of anxious people waiting outside the hospital by CPM state secretary Biman Bose, with Basu’s son Chandan by his side.

Basu had been suffering from a protracted illness for the past about a decade following his heart ailment and several other old-age diseases. The CPM patriarch is survived by his lone son Chandan, a grandson and three granddaughters. His wife Komal predeceased him about a decade ago.

The body was taken to Peace Haven mortuary at Wellesley Street where it would be kept tonight and taken to the party office at Alimuddin Street tomorrow morning for allowing party cadres, friends and others to pay their last respect.

And on Tuesday, Basu’s last journey would begin from the party office and culminate at the NRS Hospital at Sealdah where his body, as desired by him, would be handed over to the (hospital) authorities for medical research work. But en route, a large procession carrying the body would march to the Writers Buildings, the Assembly House, Calcutta High Court, CITU office, etc, before finally reaching the hospital. Soon after his demise, Basu’s eyes were donated to the eye bank.

Basu’s condition gradually deteriorated since January 12 when he had been on partial ventilator. His respiratory problems could be resolved but the complications in the functioning of his heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and brain remained sometimes stable, sometimes critical. As advised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the hospital doctors were in constant touch with AIIMS regarding Basu’s treatment.

In the last two days, Basu’s condition remained extremely critical and he was put on dialysis. Last night, a pacemaker was also placed in his body. But all the efforts failed and he passed away today afternoon. A few minutes earlier, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram was seen rushing into the hospital, but soon afterwards he slowly came out with his head lowering down. “A great leader has just departed,” remarked Chidambaram.

As the news of Basu’s demise spread, hundreds of party comrades and other people started gathering near the hospital.

CPM leaders Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, former Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, Forward Bloc leader Ashok Ghose and several other leaders from various political parties arrived one after another at the hospital. Union Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by Leader of Opposition in Assembly Partha Chatterjee, also visited the hospital and paid her last respect to the departed leader.

President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, BJP leader LK Advani, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and RJD president Lalu Prasad Yadav were among those who expressed their shock and sadness at Basu’s demise.