Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the illustrious former Chief Minister of West Bengal, has departed this world at the age of 80, passing away at his residence in south Kolkata.
His final years were marred by debilitating respiratory ailments, necessitating frequent hospital visits. Despite a valiant recovery from a severe bout of pneumonia last year, his health remained precarious. He is survived by his devoted wife, Meera, and their son, Suchetan.
Bhattacharjee, a towering figure in the Communist Party of India (Marxist), held the office of Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011, following the esteemed Jyoti Basu. His tenure was marked by considerable accomplishments, including triumphant victories in the 2001 and 2006 Assembly elections. However, his administration eventually faced a momentous defeat in the 2011 elections, which saw Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress ascend to power, concluding a 34-year Communist dominion in the state.
An alumnus of the prestigious Presidency College, Kolkata, Bhattacharjee began his professional life as an educator before embracing politics. His distinguished political journey encompassed MLA, state minister, and Deputy Chief Minister roles before his elevation to Chief Minister. His administration is remembered for its bold embrace of progressive economic policies, a marked shift from the more cautious approach of his predecessor. Paradoxically, this strategic pivot towards industrialization contributed to the unexpected electoral setback in 2011.
