Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passes away

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, veteran left leader and former West Bengal chief minister, died at his south Kolkata residence on Thursday morning. He was 80.

Buddhadeb, who had been suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for some years, is survived by his wife Mira and daughter Suchetana, reports Indian media.

A former member of the CPM's top decision-making body, Politburo, he served as Bengal Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011, succeeding Jyoti Basu in the top post. He led the CPM into the 2011 state polls, when the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress posted a historic win, ending the 34-year Communist rule in the eastern state.

Known for his simple lifestyle, Buddhadeb breathed his last at the two-bedroom flat at Palm Avenue from where he once ran the state. His organs will be donated for medical research as per his wishes. His body will be kept in the CPM headquarters for his followers to pay respects and the last journey will take place tomorrow.

He was a school teacher before he joined politics full-time. After serving as an MLA and a state minister, he was elevated to Deputy Chief Minister before Basu stepped down in 2000. As Chief Minister, he led the CPM to Assembly poll victories in 2001 and 2006.