Kolkata:
Veteran Communist leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister Jyoti Basu passed away at a Kolkata hospital on Sunday. He was 95. (
Full Coverage)
At 12:10 pm on Sunday, an emotional Biman Bose, the Chairman of the Left Front coordination committee announced: "I have to give you a sad news that Jyoti Basu is no longer with us." (
Watch: Biman Bose announces Jyoti Basu's death)
Basu, who had suffered multi-organ failure was on a temporary pacemaker since late Saturday night. He passed away at 11:47am on Sunday. Basu's eyes will be donated.
He is survived by son, Chandan Basu and several grandchildren. His last rites will be held on Tuesday. (
Read: Jyoti Basu's last rites on Tuesday)
Huge crowds surrounded the hearse that carried the body from the hospital. The hearse had CPM flags and flowers draped on it and the body lay in a transparent capsule so people could see it.
The West Bengal government has declared a holiday on Monday as a mark of respect to Basu. In Bihar, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has declared a three-day state mourning. (
Read and Watch: Jyoti Basu, the Communist patriarch)
Jyoti Basu would have finished 70 years in politics on January 1, 2010. But it was on that day he was admitted to hospital never to come out again. (
Jyoti Basu's life in pics)
The veteran leader was admitted to the hospital with chest infection and was found suffering from pneumonia following CT-scan and X-ray tests. Basu was on ventilator since January 6 after his condition worsened.
Kolkata-based leaders thronged the hospital on Sunday morning. CPM general secretary Prakash Karat was there and others like Brinda Karat have left for Kolkata. Renowned filmmaker, Mrinal Sen visited the hospital to pay his tributes. As did Union Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee.
President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have condoled Jyoti Basu's death. (
Read: PM, Sonia's messages to Basu's family)
Condolences and tributes are pouring in, cutting across party lines. He is being remembered as one of the tallest leaders of Indian politics. Also for his contribution to the land reforms movement, to the trade union movement. And to the rich democracy of India. (
Read and Watch: Leaders react to Jyoti Basu's death)
An era in West Bengal politics has come to an end with Jyoti Basu's death. Basu was Chief Minister of Bengal for 23 years. With his death the Surjeet-Basu era in the CPM has ended. Basu, in fact was the last living member of the first Politburo of the CPM.
Jyoti Basu led the Left Front to power in West Bengal in 1977 and remained Chief Minister till 2000. He could have been India's Prime Minister, but turned down the offer in 1996. (
Watch: Refusing PM's post was a historic blunder)
Basu's last public appearance was on his 95th birthday in July 2009. He had retired from active politics but remained at the heart of the party's activities. (
Read: Key moments of Basu's life)
In a statement read out by CPM leader Sitaram Yechury in Delhi, the party pledged to carry on the strong traditions and work of Jyoti Basu.
Also read:How Jyoti Basu got his nameBJP condoles Basu's demiseCongress condoles Basu's deathWatch: An era is over: Sheila Dikshit