<p>Political leaders in Bangalore on Sunday recalled their association with Basu and were unanimous in their opinion that his influence extended far beyond his home state of West Bengal. <br /><br />Two-time CPI(M) legislator G V Srirama Reddy said he first met Basu when the veteran leader had visited Bangalore in 1971. <br /><br />“I was a PU student and Basu was the Deputy Chief Minister of West Bengal. He interacted with us patiently and was humble to the core. His simplicity and charm has been a guiding and inspiring force for us for decade”, he recalls.<br /><br />Srirama Reddy recalled that on another occasion, in 1981, he had accompanied Basu on a visit to Kodagu from Bangalore. “Basu had taken over as CM of West Bengal. On the way to Kodagu we were passing through Maddur, when I reminded him about the famous Maddur vadas. Even as I was suggesting that we get him a parcel of the vadas to his car, Basu stepped out of the vehicle, walked to the hotel counter and placed order for the vadas for all of us,” he said.<br /><br />CPI(M) State Secretary VGK Nair recalled former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde had sought the guidance of Basu before finalising the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act. <br />He visited the State on several occasion to fight for the cause of plantation workers and railway employees, Nair said.<br /><br />Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa termed Basu’s rejection of the office of PM in 1996 as a “rarity in the contemporary power-hungry political situation.” <br /><br />Following Basu’s rejection, the PM post fell on to the lap of JD(S) president H D Deve Gowda. “The country will sorely miss his wise counsel. Basu played a prominent role in my becoming prime minister,” Gowda said.<br /><br />KPCC President R V Deshpande said Basu was a leader committed to the weaker sections of society. <br /><br />Meanwhile, the State government is yet to decide whether a one-day State mourning should be announced on Tuesday when his mortal remains will be kept at the West Bengal State Assembly premises for the public to pay their homage. <br /><br />“We are awaiting direction from the Centre in this regard,” DPAR sources said.<br /><br />- Participated in the Bangalore railway employees’ agitation during freedom struggle<br />- Fought for the rights of Raja Mill and Ramkumar Textile employees in Bangalore in 1971<br />- Campaigned for local body polls in the State in 1981<br />- Participated in CPI(M) Central Committee meetings held in Bangalore in 1973, 1993 and 2002<br />- Took part in a public rally in Malleswaram in 2003.<br /></p>
<p>Political leaders in Bangalore on Sunday recalled their association with Basu and were unanimous in their opinion that his influence extended far beyond his home state of West Bengal. <br /><br />Two-time CPI(M) legislator G V Srirama Reddy said he first met Basu when the veteran leader had visited Bangalore in 1971. <br /><br />“I was a PU student and Basu was the Deputy Chief Minister of West Bengal. He interacted with us patiently and was humble to the core. His simplicity and charm has been a guiding and inspiring force for us for decade”, he recalls.<br /><br />Srirama Reddy recalled that on another occasion, in 1981, he had accompanied Basu on a visit to Kodagu from Bangalore. “Basu had taken over as CM of West Bengal. On the way to Kodagu we were passing through Maddur, when I reminded him about the famous Maddur vadas. Even as I was suggesting that we get him a parcel of the vadas to his car, Basu stepped out of the vehicle, walked to the hotel counter and placed order for the vadas for all of us,” he said.<br /><br />CPI(M) State Secretary VGK Nair recalled former chief minister Ramakrishna Hegde had sought the guidance of Basu before finalising the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act. <br />He visited the State on several occasion to fight for the cause of plantation workers and railway employees, Nair said.<br /><br />Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa termed Basu’s rejection of the office of PM in 1996 as a “rarity in the contemporary power-hungry political situation.” <br /><br />Following Basu’s rejection, the PM post fell on to the lap of JD(S) president H D Deve Gowda. “The country will sorely miss his wise counsel. Basu played a prominent role in my becoming prime minister,” Gowda said.<br /><br />KPCC President R V Deshpande said Basu was a leader committed to the weaker sections of society. <br /><br />Meanwhile, the State government is yet to decide whether a one-day State mourning should be announced on Tuesday when his mortal remains will be kept at the West Bengal State Assembly premises for the public to pay their homage. <br /><br />“We are awaiting direction from the Centre in this regard,” DPAR sources said.<br /><br />- Participated in the Bangalore railway employees’ agitation during freedom struggle<br />- Fought for the rights of Raja Mill and Ramkumar Textile employees in Bangalore in 1971<br />- Campaigned for local body polls in the State in 1981<br />- Participated in CPI(M) Central Committee meetings held in Bangalore in 1973, 1993 and 2002<br />- Took part in a public rally in Malleswaram in 2003.<br /></p>
