Ex-Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passes away

Kolkata: Former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passed away here on Thursday.

He was 80 and is survived by wife and son.

The octogenarian Marxist leader was suffering for long owing to age-related ailment and breathing trouble.

During the Left Front's 34-year rule in the state, Bhattacharjee was the second and last CPI(M) chief minister, who was in office from 2000 to 2011.

The veteran Marxist leader, who had a huge influence in the Leftist movement in Bengal, was admitted to a private hospital a number of times before being shifted to home in South Kolkata.

West Bengal Assembly's Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, "I am deeply saddened to learn that former West Bengal Chief Minister Shri Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has left for his heavenly abode. Condolences to his family members and admirers. I pray that his soul finds eternal peace. Om Shanti."