Basu a powerful regional voice in national political scene: PM

New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Describing Jyoti Basu as a
powerful regional voice in the national political scene,
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday said he had turned
to the veteran Marxist leader on many occasions for his advice
on important issues and the response was always pragmatic.
Singh said the death of the 95-year-old Communist Party
of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader marked the end of an era in
the annals of Indian politics. He was a man of great integrity
with a deep commitment to secular values, the Prime Minister
said in his condolence message.
"In a political career spanning more than six decades, the
veteran communist leader steered his party to power in West
Bengal, leaving a legacy of uninterrupted rule by the Left
Front that he forged through his leadership and legendary
skills in building consensus," he said.
Observing that during his more than 20 years at the helm
of affairs in the eastern state of West Bengal, Basu proved
himself to be one of the most able administrators and
politicians of independent India, Singh said he was "a
powerful regional voice in the national political scene and
helped to strengthen Indian federalism."
"Shri Basu will be remembered by the people of West
Bengal for bringing stability and order to the State after the
turbulent period of the early 70s and for the rural
transformation he brought about through his visionary land
reforms and his style of democratic and decentralised
governance," Singh said. (More) PTI