Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday paid glowing tributes to the towering Marxist leader Jyoti Basu describing him as “an iconic figure in Indian polity”.
Expressing deep sorrow and anguish over the demise of the former West Bengal chief minister, he said, “Jyoti Babuji was an iconic figure in public life and polity of India”.
“His death marked the end of an era in Indian political history. It is a tremendous shock to all of us”, he said in his condolence message. It may be noted Jyoti babu was a close associate of legendary Biju Patnaik, Naveen’s father, and both nurtured mutual regard for each other.