Jyoti Basu was an institution

By Debesh Bhowmik

Comrade Jyoti Basu passed away--the international leader of communist movement is no more--our national leader of repute who might be a Prime Minister of India, died on 17th January, 2009 at 11.47AM.The West Bengal had lost a legendary communist leader who fought against British imperialism in India and also began Marxist movement in West Bengal as well as in India. Later in post independent period, he formed coalition government and tried to adjoin communist movement with the parliamentary politics in West Bengal and in India.

He was the builder of land reform with barga operation, Tebhaga Andolan, reformation of central and state relation, the creator of ‘Janaganatantric Biplab’ which means the revolution would be realized through the co-movement of farmers, industrial workers and the general masses.

He was an unchallenged Chief Minister of West Bengal for long 23 years – a record in international politics. He knew how to formulate relief measures for the benefit of peasants, workers, and the masses in the democracy during the course of communist movement. He did not adjust against the fascism and imperialism. His economic and foreign policies should be the key features in democracy in an individual state.

In international communism, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cuba, Vietnam, Russia must remember his role. In his writing, he clearly explained the role of state in the democratic process in context of Marxism.

His dream of Industrial Policy in West Bengal under the banner of Left Front Government became partly fulfilled and the rest of the policy remains started facing innumerable protests from the oppositions. However, he is a big chapter of leadership, a parliamentaritian and a communism. He is turned into an institution.

The left leaders of West Bengal have really lost their true guardian.The left democratic movement, however small, is confronted with a halt.This loss should be minimized through tireless and spontaneous left movement against neo-liberalism.