The Chief Minister of the West Bengal Left Front for 34 years, Buddhadev Bhattacharya took his last breath a year after turning around his first death sentence at the age of 80. His stint as Chief Minister from 2000 to 2011 was a turning point in the state’s political history. His son, Suchetan Bhattacharya said he died Thursday morning. He had breakfast in the morning, fell ill soon, and breathed his last at 8.20 am this home on Sunday (3) Morning. On receiving the information, Suchetan reached the spot.
Last Days, Health Issues
Buddhadev had “a very difficult respiration issue” on Wednesday night, according to resources who stated that he had been managed then. The generic game agreed upon was that doctors from Woodlands Hospital would see him at 11 am on Thursday and admit him if necessary since Buddhadev did not wish to go to the hospital. But the next morning, Thursday at breakfast time he was sick again. Hospital staff tried to give him a nebulizer but he had cardio conditions and died of respiratory failure before medics could get there.
Posthumous Body Donation
Buddhadev Bhattacharya had followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Jyoti Basu and donated his body after death. The CPM state leadership is meanwhile also discussing with Pinarayi Vijayan the preparations for the final resting of his mortal remains including paying last respects. As a Politburo member, he will also be escorted by leaders from Delhi on his final journey. His body currently resides in his two-bedroom apartment on Palm Avenue.
Recent Health Challenges
He had been critically ill and admitted to the hospital in a critical condition on July 29 last year, but safely returned home from the same facility on August 9. He developed pneumonia with severe lung and trachea infections, requiring him to be placed in invasive ventilation. First unconscious, he later recovered and was discharged from a hospital after 12 days but still under stringent health conditions.
For years, Buddhadev was suffering from a severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which also mired him mostly to his home in recent times. During multiple hospitalizations, he had a bad spell in December 2020 where he spent time on ventilation. He and his wife Meera Bhattacharya tested positive for Covid-19 in the first half of May this year. They were hospitalized and tested negative afterward.
Refusal of Padma Bhushan
Established by a central government, Buddhadev Bhattacharya refused the Padma Panchshil amidst media reports on January 25, 2022. His NO was a strong message that represents what he stands for, his ethical cores.
Political Inheritance and Industrial Policy
Political activity during the last five years of his 11-year tenure was hectic mainly because Buddhadev had announced a policy giving priority to industrial growth. His land grab policy for industrial use eventually led to political crises. After a landslide win of 235 seats in 2006, his party was defeated in the polls, and he was voted out of power from West Bengal after staying for continuous Left rule over here for 34 years.
The legacy of Buddadev Bhattacharya lends credence to his leadership and the way he changed West Bengal politics. His work and the related controversies of his tenure for better or worse, they were often the same — will soon be captured as turning points in Texas history.
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