People's Democracy

Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri

Surjeet placing a wreath at the body of Comrade Chaudhuri in New Delhi

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following condolence message on August 1, 2005

THE Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) mourns the passing away of Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri, member of the West Bengal state committee of the Party, member of the Lok Sabha and a veteran trade union leader. Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri died after a heart attack in a hospital in New Delhi on August 1.

Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri joined the Party in 1960 and was involved in organising the kisans and workers. He made a big contribution to developing the coal workers movement and he was the vice president of the Colliery Mazdoor Sabha and the general secretary of the Burdwan district committee of the CITU.

Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri was a member of the West Bengal legislative assembly from 1977 to 1986. He represented the Asansol constituency in the Lok Sabha for three terms since 1998.

As a wholetimer he lived a simple life and remained unmarried. 
In his death the Party and the working class movement has lost an experienced and dedicated leader.

CITU CONDOLENCE

The Centre of India Trade Unions (CITU) secretariat has also expressed its shock at the passing away of Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri, member of the working committee of CITU and MP Lok Sabha.

Acknowledging the big contribution made by Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri in organising the coal workers in Bengal, the CITU stated that he was also involved in organising the peasants in Burdwan district.

“In his death the working class movement has lost an experienced and dedicated leader”, stated the CITU secretariat.

B Prasant reports from Kolkata

Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri’s last remains were brought to Muzaffar Ahmad Bhavan and among those who paid their last respects were Anil Biswas, Biman Basu and members of the central committee and of the state secretariat of the Party. Leaders of mass organisation including the CITU and the AIKS paid homage.

Soft-spoken and dedicated, Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri led a simple life-style, loved to pore over books, and would carry on Party work without any fanfare at all.

A kisan organiser of great ability, besides being a TU leader, Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri was arrested on false charges in 1974. He spent years underground between 1971 and 1977.

State secretary of the CPI(M) Anil Biswas and Bengal Left Front chairman Biman Basu described Comrade Bikash Chaudhuri as a tireless worker and completely dedicated to the Party. (INN)