CPI(M) today condoled the demise of Hashim Abdul Halim, the longest serving speaker of West Bengal Assembly, and described him as a "strong pillar of support" in maintaining communal harmony.
Halim, who had created a record of serving as the assembly speaker for 29 long years between 1982 and 2011 during the Left Front rule in the state, passed away due to cardiac problems at a nursing home in Kolkata.
"Lal Salaam...Comrade Hasim Abdul Halim. Served longest as Speaker of West Bengal Assembly. Remained strong pillar of support in maintaining communal harmony," CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury said in a series of tweets.
"Steered with statesmanship, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association as Chairman of its executive committee," he said.
Party MP Mohammed Salim dubbed Halim as a "legendary figure" in legislative history and "man of the masses".
"Paying my last respect to #Com.Hashim Abdul Halim #Legendary figure in Indian #Legislative history #RedSalute to Hashim Abdul Halim
"#Hashim Abdul Halim #longest serving Speaker #WestBengal #Legal luminary #ManOfTheMasses #AnAgressiveSecular expired minutes ago in Kolkata," Salim tweeted.
Halim had also served as the chairman of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and president of World Federation of United Nations Associations.
