Leaders across the spectrum--political and business--paid tribute to former chief minister of West Bengal
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh: He was a powerful regional voice in the national political scene and had proved to be one of the most ablest administrators and politicians of independent India.
Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee: He was a towering personality. For half a century he represented the people of Bengal and was perhaps the longest serving chief minister in contemporary period. I developed a close intimacy with Jyoti Babu from the 60s. In his death, I have lost a well wisher and the country has lost an able administrator and a great parliamentarian and patriot.
Somnath Chatterjee, former Speaker: Personally, I have lost my father for the second time in Jyoti Basu’s death.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee: It is a sad day for us. We have often talked about political developments after his retirement (from active politics).
BJP Leader L K Advani: Though our ideologies were different, still, going by his greatness, I respect him and pay my tributes.
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West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee: The country has lost a great leader, and the Left democratic movement in the country has been dealt a severe blow Union home minister: He was a great patriot, a democrat, a parliamentarian and a socialist. He was a great son of Bengal.
Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata group: We view his passing with great sorrow. He was a great leader of the Nationa and of the State. He will be missed by all.
B K Birla, chairman, B K Birla group: He was an outstanding leader. The whole of India will mourn his death.
BM Khaitan, chairman, Williamson Magor group: He was a great bhadraloke, a great person, a good friend.
YC Deveshwar, chairman, ITC : India has lost a great leader and statesman. A man of the masses. Jyotibabu devoted his entire life to the people of West Bengal. We deeply mourn his demise and extend our condolences to his family and the many close associates he inspired over the years.
RP Goenka, chairman, CESC Ltd: The turmoil of a great life has finally come to an end. India is poorer on account of the demise of Jyoti Basu.
Venu Srinivasan, CII president: The nation has lost one of the tallest leaders and CII is grieved by this great loss to the political leadership of the country. India’s longest-serving chief minister Jyoti Basu, served as the chief minister of West Bengal between 1977-2000. During his tenure, the state has made significant progress towards inclusive growth and development.