Newsmaker
Communist who could have been Indian PM dies at age 95
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-18 08:57
 |
Large Medium Small |
Basu's political life
Born in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on July 8, 1914.
Graduated from Presidency College with honors in English. Finished his Bar at Law in London, where he was introduced to Marxism and politics.
Returned to India in 1940. Joined the Communist Party of India (CPI).
In 1944 worked with Bengal railway workers' union.
In 1946 was elected to the Bengal legislative assembly.
Won from Baranagar Assembly constituency in 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1969 and 1971. Lost seat in the 1972 snap polls.
In 1964 helped set up the Communist Party of India-Marxist.
In 1967 became deputy chief minister in a coalition government in Bengal.
Became chief minister of West Bengal on June 21, 1977, and headed the Left Front government until November 6, 2000.
Narrowly missed a chance to become India's prime minister in 1996 after his party's veto. He later called the party's decision a "historic blunder".
In 2000 announced his retirement from active politics and stepped down as chief minister for health reasons.
In 2004 played a key role to stitch together an alliance between leftist parties and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance.
Basu's political life
