KOLKATA, August 24, 2009: Veteran CPI(M) leader and former Chief Minister Jyoti Basu referred Subhas Chakraborty as a crowd puller and urged party workers to reach out to people and work for their interests just like the late leader worked.
Basu’s speech was read out at the condolence meeting of former transport minister Subhas Chakraborty, which was held at Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday.
Basu described Chakraborty as a hard-working individual and an able administrator. “He was a crowd puller. I have heard many people are coming to his condolence meeting. I express my gratitude to them,” said Basu. The speech was read out by CPI(M) leader Amitava Nandy. “You (party workers) will have to work for people’s interests. That is what Subhas used to do,” he added.
Shocked by Chakraborty’s sudden demise, Basu said: “At this age, I should have gone. This was not his time to pass away. He could have worked more for a long time.” Recounting the days when Chakraborty was part of the youth movement, Basu said: “In those days, he used to work hard for the part. He even had to go to jail.”
