Basu was statesman like, pragmatic: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday paid tributes to Marxist leader Jyoti Basu, calling him a man of integrity and consensus and a politician to whom he often turned for "sagacious advice".

In a message to his son Chandan Basu, the Prime Minister said that the death of the former West Bengal chief minister in Kolkata marked the end of an era in Indian politics.

"During his more than 20 years at the helm of affairs in West Bengal, he (Basu) proved himself to be one of the most able administrators and politicians of independent India," he said.

"He was a powerful regional voice in the national political scene and helped to strengthen Indian federalism... He was a man of great integrity with a deep commitment to secular values.

"I have personally had a very long association with Basu. On many occasions in my career, I turned to him for his sagacious advice on all matters, whether they related to West Bengal or to issues of national importance.

"His advice was statesmanlike but always pragmatic and based on unshakable values that he championed throughout his political career.

"I feel a deep sense of personal sadness at the passing away of a political luminary who was a great patriot and an intellectual of high order.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to you and other members of the bereaved family and to Basu's countless comrades, friends, admirers and followers."

The Prime Minister said: "The passing away of Basu from the scene marks the end of an era in the annals of Indian politics. In a political career spanning more than six decades, the veteran communist leader steered his party to power in West Bengal, leaving a legacy of uninterrupted rule by the Left Front that he forged through his leadership and legendary skills in building consensus.

"Basu will be remembered by the people of West Bengal for bringing stability and order to the state after the turbulent period of the early 70s and for the rural transformation he brought about through his visionary land reforms and his style of democratic and decentralized governance."