Vice-President, Manmohan pay homage to Jyoti Basu

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday paid tributes to Marxist legend Jyoti Basu, whom they described as a great patriot and an eminent statesman.

Both Mr. Ansari and Dr. Singh visited the AKG Bhawan, the CPI(M) Headquarters at Gole Market here, separately at around 11 a.m. and paid floral tribute to the departed leader.

They were received by CPI(M) Polit Bureau members Sitaram Yechury and K. Varadrajan.

Mr. Ansari wrote in the condolence book, “the country mourns the passing away of a patriot and a great statesman.”

Dr. Singh, in his remarks said the country has lost “a great son who was a great statesman and great patriot.”

“I convey my deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved family and countless admirers, comrades and followers of Shri Basu,” the Prime Minister said.

Another PTI story adds

Mourners throng Basu’s residence, party HQ to pay homage

A stream of mourners lined up before the CPI(M) headquarters and the Indira Bhavan, official residence of Jyoti Basu, here to pay their last respect to the departed leader as West Bengal observes a two-day State mourning beginning on Monday.

A holiday has been declared in the state government offices as a mark of respect to the veteran communist leader.

A portrait of Basu has been placed on a pedestal in front of the party headquarters on Alimuddin Street to enable mourners to pay floral tributes.

Mourners with bouquets and garlands also gathered in front of the Indira Bhavan at Salt Lake.

Basu’s body has been kept at the private funeral parlour 'Peace Haven' from where it would be taken tomorrow in a procession first to the State secretariat, then the Assembly building and finally to the State-run SSKM Hospital for handover to the hospital authorities.

Across the state silent mourning processions were taken out today with placards reading “Jyoti Basu Amar Rahe”. CPI(M) flags were flown in half mast in different party offices across the State.

Courtesy: The Hindu