CM Mamata Banerjee on CM Buddha Bhattacharjee: I pray he takes birth in Bengal again
Times of India | 9 August 2024
Bhattacharjee greets Banerjee at Raj Bhawan after the latter became the CM in 2011 CM Mamata Banerjee outside Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s Palm Avenue house on ThursdayBhattacharjee greets Banerjee at Raj Bhawan after the latter became the CM in 2011 CM Mamata Banerjee outside Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s Palm Avenue house on ThursdayBhattacharjee greets Banerjee at Raj Bhawan after the latter became the CM in 2011 12 KOLKATA: CM Mamata Banerjee, while speaking to reporters outside Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee's Palm Avenue house on Thursday, prayed that the former CM takes rebirth in Bengal.
When Bhattacharjee was the CM, and Banerjee the opposition leader, the former never referred to her by name. But when their roles reversed in 2011 and Banerjee became the CM, Bhattacharjee greeted her from the visitor's chair at Raj Bhavan with folded hands.The often-tense relationship showed its first signs of easing.
On Thursday, when Banerjee went to Palm Avenue to pay her condolences, she said: "Politics has its place, personal relationships have theirs. Politics and humanity are separate. He has loads of contributions. This is not the right place to discuss it. Let us pray that his soul rests in peace. A man is known for his works even after his death. I pray that he returns to this land of Bengal again after his death.
Banerjee said Bhattacherjee's death had shocked her. "I feel a sort of vacuum," the chief minister said, adding: "Upon hearing the news, I got so shaken that my hand got scraped against the wall and I have been bleeding profusely."
"I had had several meetings and interactions with him. Every time he was admitted to the hospital, I went there to meet him and we were thankful that he could return home every time. Although he suffered from chronic respiratory distress, I believe it was still not an age for him to pass away."
As an opposition leader, Banerjee had a few interactions with Bhattacharjee. "When I used to come, we used to have a conversation on a lot of things. I remember during a riot in 1992, I had run up to him (CM Bhattacharjee) to offer help. I had approached him many times over several issues that were above politics and he had always been extremely supportive. I have always admired it.
"Though I belong to another party, my deepest condolences go out to CPM. I offer my condolences to his family and all members of his party. We will provide all assistance and pay our respects on behalf of the state govt during his final journey. Whatever decision his party takes, the state will ensure proper arrangements. He has pledged his body and on behalf of the state govt, I announce today as a holiday to mark his death. On Friday, we want to offer our homage with due respect and with gun salute," the CM said.