By IANS,
New Delhi : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the staunchest anti-Communist force in the country, Sunday mourned the death of Marxist stalwart Jyoti Basu, describing him as “one of the tallest leaders” and “a role model” in Indian politics.
Former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee said that Basu’s demise had “ended a chapter in the country’s politics”.
“He was an able administrator and a hard working political leader. He not only created a record for being chief minister of West Bengal for the longest duration but took several visionary steps,” Vajpayee said in his condolence message.
He said Basu lived by his conviction and had reached the post of chief minister through his efforts.
Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani described the late Marxist leader as a stalwart.
“He was a stalwart. He held the CPM fort in West Bengal for a long time,” Advani told reporters in Mumbai.
He said the while ideology was important in politics, idealism was also important.
BJP president Nitin Gadkari said Jyoti Basu was one of the tallest leaders of contemporary India.
“He was a leader committed to the weaker sections of the society. He remained firm and committed to his ideology. His stature and credibility led to his long innings in political life,” Gadkari said.
Describing Basu as the doyen of left wing politics in India, former party chief Rajnath Singh said he fought for the people’s cause throughout his life. “His demise has left a big void in Indian politics,” he said.
BJP leader Arun Jatiley told reporters here that Basu, who was West Bengal’s chief minister for 23 long years, was one of the “tallest leaders” in Indian politics with “high credibility”.
“Jyoti Basu was unquestionably one of the tallest contemporary leaders in India… He was devoted to his ideology and played the longest innings in Indian politics,” Jaitley said.
“He was a role model for Indian politics. His death is a loss for Indian polity.”
The BJP leader said Basu was “a politician of high credibility. Our party deeply mourns his death. We pay great tribute to him. He is one of the leaders from whom we all have learned something.
“The strength of Indian democracy is that it gives you space for differences. Despite differences there are always leaders who are opposed to you, (yet) who have admirable qualities,” Jaitley added.
Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj described Basu as a “man of very high stature”.
BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said Jyoti Basu was a real symbol of austerity in Indian politics.
“He will be remembered as a fighter for the cause of common people,” Naqvi said.