Kolkata:
There may be much analysis currently among the political pundits of Jyoti Basu's legacy. On the streets of Kolkata, though, there was no mixed emotion as the city stood for hours to pay its final respects to a respected leader.
Lakhs stood by as Basu's body was moved on Tuesday afternoon on a gun carriage from the Assembly to Mohar Kunj Park where he was given a 21-gun salute. Top leaders were on hand to salute the man who was India's longest-serving Chief Minister. Basu's body was then taken to the SSKM Hospital to honour the chief minister's wish to donate his body for medical research. His eyes have already been harvested.
On Tuesday afternoon, gigantic crowds gathered at the Assembly, almost causing a stampede as thousands of mourners rushed past the barricades, hoping to get one last glimpse of their leader. CPM state secretary Biman Bose appealed to the mourners over microphone to maintain calm and discipline.
"Please remain calm and maintain order and do not show any disrespect to the departed leader," Bose appealed.
He appealed to the mourners to shift to the nearby Red Road (Indira Gandhi Sarani) to have a glimpse of the body.
In the morning, Basu was brought, in a hearse bedecked with white flowers and red CPM flags, from a funeral parlour to the CPM Headquarters on Alimudin Street. He was then taken to Writer's Building which housed his office for a record 23 years. Basu was then moved to the Assembly. Basu last attended the assembly on February 1, 2001 where he was given a reception by Speaker H A Halim for his over 50 year of dedicated service to the people.
The national tri-colour was draped on the body over the party's red flag with personnel drawn from the Army, Navy and Air Force standing at attention. A large portrait of Basu with folded hands formed the background.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes to Basu at the Assembly premises. She was accompanied by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina specially flew down to Kolkata to pay her last respects to the former chief minister of West Bengal. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechury accompanied her. Senior BJP leader LK Advani and current BJP president Nitin Gadkari also paid their tributes.