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Indrajit Gupta cremated in Calcutta

A host of national leaders were present in Calcutta on Thursday to pay their tributes to former Union home minister and veteran Communist Party of India leader Indrajit Gupta before the latter was cremated in south Calcutta.

Prominent among them were Vice President Krishan Kant, Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi, former prime minister I K Gujral, Union Home Minister L K Advani, Defence Minister George Fernandes, Congress Chief Whip Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi and Bahujan Samajwadi Party leader Mayawati.

Talking to reporters, Advani said the veteran CPI leader's death had placed him and all Members of Parliament in a state of shock. He described Gupta's demise as a personal loss since 'he was my predecessor'.

A visibly moved Advani added, "All those in the know were aware that Indrajitji was fighting a grim battle. Only two days before he was shifted to Calcutta, I had spoken to him at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Even though we were on opposite sides of the fence in politics, I always held him in very high esteem."

"Indrajitji was an institution by himself, a man of principles, values and high integrity. Understandably, his death has dealt a severe blow not only to his party, but is also a major loss for democracy and the country," he added.

Fernandes felt that Gupta's death had resulted in a void that 'just cannot be filled by anyone in future'. He confessed that Indian Parliament would no longer be the same in Gupta's absence.

"Indrajitji never bowed before anyone, remained a symbol of truth and dignity all along and fought for the cause of voiceless sections of our society. The glory that our Parliament has lost in view of his death would never be restored. Parliament is already feeling his absence," Fernandes remarked.

Gujral, under whose leadership Gupta had served as home minister, appeared visibly shaken while reminiscing about his association with the late leader. He said that the country had lost a great and dedicated son in Gupta. According to him, there are very few who could match Gupta's patriotism.

He said, "He has been my life-long friend. May his soul rest in peace. I bow my head before him. My heart is drowned in sympathy for his bereaved family."

Earlier on Thursday, Gupta's body was brought to the CPI state headquarters in AJC Bose Road. Party general secretary A B Bardhan laid the first wreath followed by former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Devendra Goud. A wreath was also placed on behalf of President K R Narayanan in the afternoon.

Gupta's body was later taken in an open lorry in a procession comprising over 10,000 people. There were also a few women who had travelled all the way from Midnapore, Gupta's Lok Sabha constituency till his death.

Gupta's body was taken to Keoratala burning ghat in south Calcutta where he was cremated with full honours in the evening.

Indian Union Muslim League president G M Banatwala, leaders of the Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (United) and Samajwadi Party were also present on the occasion.

A team of ministers and leaders had arrived in Calcutta from Delhi in a special plane at 1500 hours (IST). They had left the capital soon after Question Hour in Parliament.

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