A Fond Farewell: West Bengal Bids Adieu to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

Thousands gathered to pay their respects to former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the CPI(M) state headquarters on Friday. Known for his simplicity and efforts towards industrializing the state, Bhattacharjee left a lasting mark on West Bengal’s political and social landscape.

Thousands of people stood in a long queue to pay their last respects to former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee at the CPI(M) state headquarters on Friday.

While many mourners were party supporters, others who did not subscribe to Marxist ideology also came out of respect for Bhattacharjee, known for his simplicity and straightforwardness.

The Marxist patriarch, remembered for his commitment to communism and pragmatic approach to state industrialization, passed away at 80 at his residence on Thursday.

Mourners, some with teary eyes and others with clenched fists raised in a red salute, filed past to honor a man who left an indelible mark on the state's political landscape. Banners and placards adorned with Bhattacharya's image were carried by many, as his coffin, draped in the party's red flag, was surrounded by flowers.

Veteran party members and a diverse array of supporters, from seasoned comrades to young idealists, paid their respects. They reflected on how Bhattacharjee's pro-industry policies shaped significant social and economic changes in West Bengal, improving education, healthcare, and industrial development during his tenure.

Supporters passionately recalled his vision for a better Bengal. Arpita Das, waiting in a kilometre-long queue, remembered him as a man dedicated to developing Bengal.

Bhattacharjee's efforts to industrialize the state, though ultimately leading to the Left Front government's downfall, were seen as honest and well-intentioned. The crowd included admirers from various walks of life who praised his simple lifestyle and cultured demeanor.

(With inputs from agencies.)