New Delhi, January 18: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari Monday paid homage to Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Jyoti Basu by visiting the party headquarters here, saying the country had lost a “patriot”.
Ansari reached the A.K. Gopalan Bhavan, in the heart of the city, at 10.45 a.m., followed by Manmohan Singh at 11.10 a.m.
“Our country has lost a great son who was a great statesman and great patriot,” Manmohan Singh wrote in the condolence book. Basu was the West Bengal chief minister from 1977 to 2000 and passed away Sunday at the age of 95 in Kolkata.
“I convey my deepest condolences to the members of the bereaved family and countless admirers, comrades and followers of Shri Basu.”
Ansari noted: “The country mourns the passing away of a patriot and a great statesman.”
A framed photograph of Basu, who died in Kolkata Sunday, has been placed near the reception area in the office for visitors to pay tribute.
Both Manmohan Singh and Ansari were received by CPI-M politburo members Sitaram Yechury and K. Varadrajan.
-IANS