CPI leader A.B. Bardhan dead

Veteran Communist Party of India (CPI) leader A.B. Bardhan died at a hospital here on Saturday, a doctor said. He was 92.

"The CPI leader died at 8.20 p.m. Our team tried hard but could not save him. His condition was very critical," said Dr. Vinod, who led the medical team at G.B. Pant Hospital here.

Bardhan had suffered a paralytic stroke on December 7, following which he was admitted to the hospital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying: "Will always remember Shri A B Bardhan as a passionate Communist, fully committed to his ideology & principles. May his soul rest in peace."

Congress president Sonia Gandhi also expressed her condolences.

"In his demise, not only the Communist Party of India but the entire nation has lost a leader who championed the cause of the dispossessed & the marginalized throughout his life," said Gandhi.

Expressing his grief and condolences, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar tweeted: "Deeply saddened to hear of Veteran CPI leader A B Bardhan ji's death. He was a leading figure of the trade union movement & a voice of the poor."

Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary D. Raja said: "It's a great loss not only for CPI but for entire communist movement of country."

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying: "A B Bardhan, communist leader, Trade Unionist passed away. Will always remember our personal bond & warm friendship. Condolences.RIP."

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, minister of state for parliamentary affairs, tweeted: "Demise of CPI leader A B Bardhan huge loss to Indian politics. My deep condolences to his family & well wishers."