On Thursday, the world lost Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, a man who spent his last years battling ill health but remained unwavering in his commitment to honesty and ideology. Although he faced political defeats and grappled with questions of industrial development, he never compromised on his principles.
His simple lifestyle, devoid of the trappings of power, endeared him to the common people. His love for literature, films, and theater, along with his admiration for Latin American literary giant Gabriel Garcia Marquez, set him apart from his contemporaries.
Buddha was a poet, author, and translator of progressive literature, more a man of letters than an administrator. He even translated two of Marquez’s “non-fiction” works: “The Story of a Shipwrecked Sailor” and “Clandestine in Chile.”
Buddha’s political journey began in 1966 when he joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Rising through the ranks, he became a minister (information and public relations) in Jyoti Basu’s first cabinet in 1977 at just 33. Except for a brief electoral defeat in 1982 and a personal crisis in the early 1990s, he remained a constant presence in Bengal politics until 2011, serving as the Chief Minister from 2001 to 2011. When Basu relinquished office in November 2000 after a 23-year stint, Buddhadeb Babu seemed the natural heir.
As his fan, I was also proud of the ideal and simple life of Buddhadeb Babu. From a young age, it seemed that a Chief Minister would be a person to whom people would bow in reverence for his simplicity and honesty. Buddha Bhattacharjee was apt to this image and ideal.
Despite his position, Buddha maintained a common man’s demeanor. Even in retirement, he lived in a modest two-room flat, eschewing opulence. His simplicity stood in stark contrast to
the extravagant lifestyles of other political leaders. When the media buzzed about his daughter, he remained unfazed.
Buddhadeb Babu guarded his pain and feelings, storing them away in a secret compartment. His demise left many, including myself, mourning the loss of a leader who didn’t seek personal gain in politics. In the 2006 Bengal polls, people’s trust in him was evident. His work and unblemished life won hearts, proving that true leadership transcends grandeur. Wearing a white dress, he exemplified mettle—a legacy etched in simplicity and ideals. He was a person who never entered politics to build a personal career or benefit his relatives. His unwavering commitment to public service set him apart.
In the 2006 assembly polls in West Bengal, people’s trust in him was evident. His work and unblemished life won hearts. Wearing a white dress required courage, and he possessed that quality.
Despite facing personal attacks on his government from all sides, how he should have countered those attacks remains a topic of debate. His sole criterion was to transform the state into an employment hub by exploring rapid industrialization.
His slogan, “Krishi aamader bhitti, Shilpa aamader bhobishyat” (Agriculture is our foundation, and Industry is our future), resonated with many. The slogan underscored the significance of agriculture as the bedrock of the economy, while also recognizing the pivotal role that industry plays in shaping future growth and development. However, its implementation had apparently unintended consequences, shaking the foundations of the Left Front government and eventually ending its 34-year rule in
2011.
As his government acquired land for Tata’s Nano car project, farmers hesitated to part with their fertile land. The proposed chemical hub in Nandigram faced a similar challenge. This sentiment fueled the anti-land acquisition movement led by the then-opposition leader, Mamata Banerjee, ultimately leading to the fall of the LF government
Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s initiatives held the promise of elevating his government’s credibility to an unprecedented level in Bengal. However, anti-left forces both within the country and abroad expressed disappointment over his industrial planning and job exploration efforts. Money and foreign powers entered the fray, aiming to defeat and humiliate him.
In the previous poll, his confident government had secured nearly 90 percent of the seats. Yet, despite this strong foundation, he eventually lost the political battle. Regrettably, we failed to effectively convey his government’s ideas to society. The opposition launched an all-out assault, using a myriad of overt and covert lies. Unfortunately, there was a lack of initiative and strategic planning needed to counter these attacks.
While electoral success eluded him, Buddha Babu’s legacy lies in his tireless efforts to rejuvenate Bengal’s dormant industrial landscape. He staunchly opposed the exodus of educated youth from the state in search of jobs. Simultaneously, he courted IT giants like Azim Premji and N.R. Narayana Murthy, urging them to invest in Bengal. His administration’s IT policy, formulated in 2003, fueled a remarkable 70 percent industry growth between 2001 and 2005.
Despite challenges, Buddhadeb Babu’s image remained untarnished. His recent passing reminded us of the deep affection people held for him—a love rightfully earned by an honest man. Critics faulted him for relying on bureaucracy, which occasionally impacted the party’s interests. Nevertheless, his unwavering commitment to honesty defined his legacy.
(The author is an Associate Professor at the University of Kalyani)
Picture and graphic courtesy: Pranab Debnath and CPIM WEST BENGAL