II

Jyoti Basu was the quintessential politician as also a true proponent of the communist ideology with a refreshingly welcome faith in democratic ethos. He deftly combined the best of these to hold sway over West Bengal, for 23 years as its Chief Minister and later as its patriarch. He set greater store to the loyalty to the party than to accept an offer to adorn the office of the PM.  His powerful presence on the Indian political scene was such that the Union Government, irrespective of which party was in power, paid due heed to his views whether expressed in public or in private.

Few can match the no-nonsense approach and bold ideological honesty that Basu practiced all his life. That West Bengal was unable to realise its full potential under the long rule of the Left is more due to later-day schism and lack of direction in the lower party cadres, than on the singular capacities of this political colossus, who is no more with us.

    R NARAYANAN, Ghaziabad

III

Jyoti Basu maintained communal harmony in West Bengal, did a world of good to the marginal people of the rural belt by pursuing land reforms, voluntarily relinquished power after successfully leading a coalition government for an uninterrupted period of 23 years.

Besides, he graciously bowed out of the race for Prime Ministership to honour the wishes of the Politburo after the post was offered to him on a platter. He pledged his organs and body for the sake of humanity and science. The phenomenon named Jyoti Basu will continue to live on in the memory of the common people.

KAJAL CHATTERJEE, Kolkata

IV

Jyoti Basu is no more. A great leader, he remained the CPM’s patriarch and spokesman for the common man. He created history by remaining the Chief Minister of West Bengal for 23 long years. Political leaders of all hues paid heed to his sage advice during troubled times.

He was a national leader of great standing. His love for the common man and his cause marked Basu as one of the greatest sons of contemporary India. It is difficult to fill in the vacuum created by his demise. India is certainly poorer with his departure.

ARK PILLAI, Mumbai

V

Veteran communist leader Jyoti Basu breathed his last. He was a reformer and a man of principles with a far-sighted vision. He will be remembered for his visionary all-around development and growth of West Bengal as well as the stellar role he played in shaping his party.

RAJAT KUMAR, Jalandhar City