Leaders of all parties pay homage to Dasmunsi at condolence meet

Cutting across political lines, leaders of all major parties in West Bengal paid glowing tributes to former Union Minister and veteran Congress leader Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi here on Sunday.

The condolence meeting, organised by West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) in honour of their former state president at central Kolkata's Mahajati Sadan, was graced by the heavyweights of the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left.

Left Front Chairman Biman Bose hailed Dasmunsi for his work as well as his political ethics of maintaining good relations even with the opposition leaders.

State Power Minister Sovandeb Chatterjee and Lok Sabha member Sougata Roy, both Trinamool leaders, recalled Dasmunsi's contribution in their early political career when they were a part of student politics in Congress.

"His absence is a massive loss to Bengal as well as to national politics," Chatterjee said.

BJP leader Shamik Bhattacharya was also present at the condolence meeting.

Expressing happiness over the presence of leaders across the political spectrum, state Congress president Adhir Chowdhury, who also presided over the meeting, said this was a good sign for Bengal politics.

"It is great to see leaders of all the parties at Priya Da's condolence meet. His influence in Bengal politics was immense and that's what has brought everyone together. I hope this trend continues in Bengal in the future," he said.

Dasmunsi, also the former AIFF President, who was in coma since 2008, died on November 20 at Apollo Hospital in Delhi at the age of 72.

--IANS

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