Former Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee dies

Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, veteran Left leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister, died at his south Kolkata residence. He was 80. He had been unwell for a while and had been suffering from respiratory problems that led to frequent hospitalisations. Last year, he had to be put on life support after he contracted pneumonia. But the veteran CPM leader made a comeback. He is survived by his wife Meera and son Suchetan. Known for his simple lifestyle, Bhattacharjee breathed his last at the two-bedroom flat at Palm Avenue from where he once ran the state. His organs will be donated for medical research as per his wishes. During Bhattacharjee's tenure, the Left Front govt adopted a relatively open policy towards business as compared to the Jyoti Basu regime.