CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta passes away

Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader and stalwart of the trade union movement of the country Gurudas Dasgupta passed away on Thursday. A five-time MP, Dasgupta was suffering from lung cancer for a long time. He was 83.

“ He passed away at his Kolkata residence at around 6 am,” said CPI state secretary Swapan Banerjee. He also said that due to his declining health Dasgupta had relinquished all post he held in CPI but retained the party membership.

A firebrand orator with an uncompromising attitude towards corruption Dasgupta never hesitated to raise contentious issues in the Parliament. His speech and note of dissent as a member of the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC)- formed to investigate the 2G spectrum scam- against the JPC probe report was widely recognised.

Dasgupta was born on November 3, 1936, in Barishal district of modern-day Bangladesh. After Partition his family shifted to West Bengal. He decided to stay with CPI, after the party’s split in 1964 led to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Tributes poured in for the veteran communist from across the political spectrum.

“Shri Gurudas Dasgupta Ji was one of the most committed and articulate proponents of his ideology. He was a strong voice in Parliament, whose interventions were keenly heard across the political spectrum. Saddened by his passing away. May his soul rest in peace,” tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

President Ram Nath Kovind also paid his tribute to Dasgupta.

“Sad to hear of the passing of Shri Gurudas Dasgupta, senior CPI leader, trade unionist and a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House. A big loss for public life in Bengal and India. Condolences to his family, colleagues and well-wishers #PresidentKovind,” tweeted Kovind.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lauded his role as a Parliamentarian and trade union leader.

“Saddened at the passing away of CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta ji. He will be remembered for his contribution to the nation as a Parliamentarian and trade union leader. Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues,” tweeted Banerjee.

Former President Pranab Mukherjee also paid homage to Dasgupta.

“My condolences at the passing away of Shri #GurudasDasgupta, a long-time friend and colleague. In his demise, the country has lost a strident ideologue, an articulate parliamentarian and an uncompromising champion of trade unions. May his soul rest in peace.#CitizenMukherjee,” tweeted Mukherjee.