At the age of 80, former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passed away at home in south Kolkata.
He had been unwell, suffering from respiratory problems, and was frequently hospitalized
He is survived by his wife Meera and son Suchetan
Bhattacharjee served as Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011, succeeding Jyoti Basu.
Led CPM in the 2011 elections when Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress ended the 34-year Communist rule
His tenure saw a more open business policy, leading to controversies like the Tata Motors plant in Singur and violence in Nandigram.
Condolences
Expressed by notable figures including Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, and BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari.
Long-time comrade Sitaram Yechury described his dedication to the party and West Bengal as exemplary.
Impact of 2011 Elections
The 2011 electoral defeat under Bhattacharjee's leadership marked the beginning of a significant decline for the Left in West Bengal, from which the party has not recovered, with the BJP emerging as the main opposition.