Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, the veteran communist leader and former Chief Minister of West Bengal, passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 80. He had been suffering from various health issues, including respiratory problems, for some time. Bhattacharya was frequently hospitalized and had been on a ventilator last year due to pneumonia. Despite the doctors' efforts to improve his health, he passed away peacefully at his residence. He is survived by his wife, Meena, and son, Suchetan.
A Political Journey
Buddhadeb Bhattacharya became the Chief Minister of West Bengal in 2000, succeeding Jyoti Basu, and served until 2011. His tenure marked the end of the Communist Party's 34-year rule in the state when Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress won the assembly elections that year, signaling a significant shift in Bengal politics.
Born on March 1, 1944, Bhattacharya completed his education at Kolkata Presidency College. He worked as a teacher before joining the Communist Party in 1966. He actively participated in the Bengal food movement and became a state committee member of the CPI(M) in 1972 and the party's secretary in 1982.
Bhattacharya entered the political arena as an MLA from the Kashipur-Belgachia constituency in 1977, marking the beginning of the Communist Party's rule in Bengal. He served as a minister in various departments and became the Deputy Chief Minister in 1999. Following Jyoti Basu's resignation due to health issues in 2000, Bhattacharya assumed the role of Chief Minister. Under his leadership, the CPI(M) won the 2001 and 2006 elections.
Comments