Jyoti Basu (1914-2010)

 Jyoti Basu was an Indian politician who 

served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000. He was born on 8th July 1914 in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in a well-known Bengali family. His father, Nishikanta Basu, was a doctor, and his mother, Hemlata Devi, was a social worker. Basu received his education at the Presidency College in Kolkata, where he studied economics.

Early Life and Political Career:

Basu was introduced to leftist politics at an early age, and he became a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1940. In 1946, he was elected to the Bengal Legislative Assembly from the Baranagar constituency in Kolkata. He was re-elected in 1951 and 1957. During his early years in politics, Basu was involved in various labor and peasant movements in West Bengal.

In 1964, Basu became a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M), which had split from the CPI in 1964. Basu was one of the key architects of the CPI(M)’s strategy to work within the Indian political system to achieve the party’s goals. In 1977, the CPI(M) won the West Bengal state elections, and Basu became the Chief Minister of the state.

Chief Minister of West Bengal:

Basu served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal for an uninterrupted period of 23 years, from 1977 to 2000. During his tenure, Basu implemented a number of policies and programs aimed at improving the lives of the people of West Bengal, particularly the poor and marginalized sections of society.

One of the most significant achievements of Basu’s tenure was the land reform program. Under this program, large tracts of land were redistributed to landless farmers and sharecroppers. This helped to reduce poverty and inequality in rural areas of West Bengal. Basu also implemented a number of welfare schemes, such as free healthcare, free education, and subsidized food, to improve the living standards of the people of West Bengal.

Another major achievement of Basu’s tenure was the industrialization of West Bengal. Basu attracted a number of industries to the state, particularly in the fields of steel, chemicals, and electronics. This helped to create employment opportunities for the people of West Bengal and boost the state’s economy.

Despite these achievements, Basu’s tenure was not without controversies. One of the most notable controversies was the Naxalite insurgency, which began in West Bengal in the late 1960s. The Naxalites were a group of communist insurgents who believed that armed revolution was necessary to overthrow the Indian state. Basu’s government was accused of using excessive force to suppress the Naxalite insurgency, leading to the deaths of thousands of people.

Later Life and Legacy:

In 2000, Basu resigned as the Chief Minister of West Bengal due to health reasons. He continued to be active in politics, however, and remained a member of the CPI(M)’s Central Committee until his death in 2010.

Basu was widely respected as a politician who put the interests of the people first. He was known for his simple lifestyle and his commitment to secularism and democracy. Basu was also a skilled orator and writer, and his speeches and writings were widely read and admired.

In conclusion, 

Jyoti Basu was a prominent Indian politician who played a key role in the political and social development of West Bengal. His tenure as Chief Minister of the state was marked by significant achievements, particularly in the areas of land reform and industrialization. Despite controversies and challenges, Basu remained committed.