Basu turns 96,comrades Somnath,Subhas pay court

“We usually do not celebrate birthdays. I am ill and bed-ridden. There is pain in my hips. But I am here today because people wanted to see me. I am feeling very good,” the ailing veteran said.

Both Chakraborty and Chatterjee,who flanked Basu throughout,fondly recalled their long association with the Marxist veteran. “I want him to stay for a long time with us so that he can guide us. People love him till today even when he no longer holds any position,” Chatterjee said.

“The Left in West Bengal has grown under his leadership. Bengal is incomplete without the Left movement. I would only like to say that if you have given us the flag,give us the strength to hold it in high esteem. I promise to keep alive the Left movement in the state,” the former Speaker said.

“Many a time,my wife would send home-cooked food for Jyoti Basu. He would sometimes eat it or keep it for long hours. Food sent for lunch would be consumed at dinner and food sent for dinner would be consumed the next day. I am pained to see this condition of the man who once fed the entire state,” said Chakraborty,wiping his moist eyes.

More than 800 people,including students and veteran politicians,were present at the Indira Bhawan.

The programme was organised by NGO Pather Panchali,headed by Romala. Mayor Bikash Bhattacharjee,Fire Minister Pratim Chatterjee and Forward Bloc leader Ashok Ghosh were among the first to reach Basu’s residence at 10.30 am.

Artistes performed the Chou dance and 96 children presented 96 roses to Basu. Pather Panchali is also distributing 2.5 lakh notebooks with Basu’s autograph to the students in Aila-affected areas.