By IANS,
Kolkata: Red flags and portraits of Marxist veteran Jyoti Basu adorn the road leading to the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)’s state headquarters here which is getting ready to bid him the last ‘Lal Salaam’ (Red Salute) Tuesday.
A large portrait of Basu, the last surviving member of the party’s founding politburo, was kept at the entrance of the party headquarters Muzaffar Ahmed Bhavan to enable dignitaries and commoners pouring in from different parts of the state and country, to pay their floral tributes to the departed leader.
A hushed silence prevails at the address 31, Alimuddin Street, a part of Basu’s daily itinerary, till old age and ill health confined him to his Salt Lake home. Basu, who was state chief minister for 23 years, died Sunday after a 16-day battle for life.
Grim faced leaders were seen entering and coming out of the premises, finalising minute details about the last journey and trying to cope up with a wrenching sense of loss. A diary has been kept at the main entrance for the visitors to pen tributes.
“We will cover the entire area with red flags and portraits of Jyoti Basu. This gesture will be our last red salute to our beloved comrade. We have also put up barricades in order to control the massive crowd expected tomorrow,” said Bijan Pal, a CPI-M supporter.
Basu’s body will be kept for an hour at the party office from 8 a.m. to enable members of the party’s politburo, central committee, state committee, district-level party cadres and leaders of the state’s ruling Left Front to garland the body and pay their last homage.
“I have come from Burdwan district. I admired Basu and thanked him all through my life for his land reforms. I will also walk shoulder to shoulder with others during his last journey,” said Subir Mondal, a farmer whose family benefited from the land reforms initiated by Basu’s government.
“We are expecting a huge gathering on Jan 19 at our party headquarters as lakhs of admirers will bid farewell to Basu,” said a senior CPI-M leader.