Ghosh was admitted to a private hospital off EM Bypass here on February 2 with lower respiratory tract infection.
Veteran Forward Bloc leader Asok Ghosh, who played a vital role in the formation of the first Left Front government in West Bengal, died here on Thursday. He was 93.
Ghosh was admitted to a private hospital off EM Bypass here on February 2 with lower respiratory tract infection. Later his condition deteriorated and he was put on ventilator, according to his party.
Known for his spartan lifestyle, Ghosh used to live in a small room in the party office. He was widely respected across the party lines.
A bachelor, Ghosh was born on July 2, 1923 at Chinsurah in Hooghly district and was the third of six siblings. He had two brothers and three sisters. His first political association came at the age of seven when he first participated in a march organised by the Congress at Chinsurah.
On March 19, 1940, Ghosh attended a meeting convened by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at Ramgarh in Bihar (now Jharkhand).
Influenced by Netaji’s leadership and ideals, Ghosh joined Forward Bloc formally in 1941. During the freedom struggle, he was arrested and jailed on several occasions by the British government.
On June 22, 1951, Ghosh was elected as the state secretary of the Forward Bloc, a post he held for over a record six decades.
Along with veterans such as Jyoti Basu, Ghosh had played a vital role in the formation of the first Left Front government in 1977, which was in power till 2011.
Although Ghosh was a strong advocate of strengthening the Left Front, he never hesitated in criticising the polices of the Left government that he felt were wrong, such as the Singur land acquisition policy for the Tata Motors project. He even tried to clear the political logjam in the state by convening an all-party meeting that was attended by the then leader of Opposition Mamata Banerjee.
Political leaders across the board expressed their grief on the passing away of the veteran leader.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Peace Haven where his body has been kept. “Saddened on the passing away of veteran politician Asok Ghosh. Condolences to his family and friends,” she tweeted.
State education minister Partha Chatterjee said, “He was like our guardian. A void has been created after his departure.”
CPM state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra said the Left movement’s guardian had departed. Left Front chairman Biman Bose said, “He was Bengal’s oldest politician. He has witnessed several ups and downs of the Left.”
Condoling Ghosh’s demise, state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury said, “My heartfelt condolences on the demise of the veteran leader.”
State BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, “It is a stupendous loss for Forward Bloc leadership. I offer my condolences to his family members and near and dear ones,” he said.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kolkata / by Express News Service, Kolkata / March 04th, 2016