IN the death of Comrade Sailen Dasgupta, the party and the Left movement have lost a dedicated leader and outstanding organiser. The loss is all the more for West Bengal where he was secretary of the CPI(M) state committee for nearly a decade and chairman of the Left Front.

I first saw how systematically Comrade Sailen Dasgupta worked when he was allotted to the Central Committee office in 1966. He helped to build the party centre at Lake Place. His integrity, ideological conviction and total devotion to the party enabled him to discharge all the key responsibilities he was entrusted with in his later career.

I had great faith in his abilities and sense of judgement. After so many decades of association, I feel his loss very keenly.

I regret very much that due to my ill-health, I am unable to attend the funeral to pay my last respects.

Please convey my deepest sympathy to his wife and family members.