Jyoti Basu was the former Chief Minister of West Bengal and a leading figure in India's Communist Movement. He is still remembered by many as the longest-serving CM of the Indian state. On his birth anniversary, read about the leader's overall life with a close look at his political career. Basu was born on July 8, 1914, in Kolkata (then Calcutta), and began his political career as a member of the Communist Party of India (CPI) in 1940.
Longest serving CM of West Bengal
He quickly rose through the ranks of the party and became a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in 1946. In 1977, he was elected as the Chief Minister of West Bengal, a position he held for a record 23 years until 2000, about a decade before he passed away on January 2010.
During his tenure as Chief Minister, Basu implemented a number of policies aimed at improving the lives of the state's poor and marginalized communities. He introduced land reforms, expanded access to education and healthcare, and implemented programs to provide employment and basic necessities such as food and housing.
Strong advocate for federalism
Basu was also a strong advocate for federalism and the rights of states within the Indian Union. He was a vocal critic of the central government's policies and often took a stand against what he saw as attempts to undermine the autonomy of the states.
Despite his strong political convictions, Basu was known for his pragmatic approach to governance. He was able to bring together different political parties and social groups to work towards common goals. His leadership style was marked by a willingness to listen to different perspectives and a focus on finding common ground.
