Cutting across party lines, political leaders today paid rich tribute to CPI leader A B Bardhan who died here with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming him as a "passionate" communist leader and Congress president Sonia Gandhi describing him as the champion of the marginalized.
"Will always remember Shri A B Bardhan as a passionate Communist, fully committed to his ideology & principles. May his soul rest in peace(sic)," Modi tweeted.
Gandhi said, "In his demise, not only the CPI but the entire nation has lost a leader who championed the cause of the dispossessed and marginalized throughout his life."
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said his death was a huge loss to Indian politics while CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said his wisdom, experience and guidance will be missed.
JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav said the CPI stalwart had epitomized the continuous struggle for the cause of the masses and was a "tall" leader of the Left movement.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said an era has ended with the demise of Bardhan, who had always worked for the poor and downtrodden.
The CPI stalwart was the "epitome of political decency and selfless service", Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said.
