Basu, truly a towering figure in Indian politics says President

Shri Jyothi Basu was truly a towering figure in the politics of India from the middle of the last century till his final days said President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his message of condolence.

"His demise is a loss to the people of India as well as to all people of South Asia who look forward to such leadership, especially for the uplift of the peasantry and the working people, and national unity built on pluralism," the President further said.

The full text of the condolence message:

I am deeply grieved by the passing away of Shri Jyoti Basu a former Chief Minister of West Bengal and leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

From his latter student days in England, Jyoti Basu was involved in the struggle for the Freedom of India and the rights of its working people. Since his return to India in 1940 he was active in the Quit India Movement as a leftwing activist, and from the time of independence played major roles in both national and regional politics. His membership in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly extended from 1952 to 1996, during which period he served a record of more than 23 years as its Chief Minister.

During this period he saw the breakup of the Communist Party of India and as leader of CPI(M) he steered the party away from the politics of extremism to that of democracy and pluralism.

He gave leadership to the most far reaching land reform legislation reflecting the Gandhian belief in land to the tiller; instituted a Panchyathi Raj System which was radical for its time, by giving the peasants and small farmers a say in their affairs; cooperated with the private sector to bring modern industry to West Bengal, and also saw West Bengal standout as an example of communal harmony and secular values in India.

Shri Jyothi Basu was truly a towering figure in the politics of India from the middle of the last century till his final days, when he remained a member of the Politbureau of CPI(M). His demise is a loss to the people of India as well as to all people of South Asia who look forward to such leadership, especially for the uplift of the peasantry and the working people, and national unity built on pluralism.

I send my own deepest sympathies, and that of the people of Sri Lanka, to the members of his bereaved family and his comrades in the CPI(M).

- Asian Tribune -