The longest-serving Assembly Speaker in the country Hashim Abdul Halim passed away on Monday morning. He created a record by remaining Speaker of Bengal Assembly for nearly three decades between 1982 and 2011. In 1977, when CPI(M)-led Left Front came to power, Halim was the law minister in Mr Jyoti Basu’s Cabinet.
He died of cardiac arrest. Halim (80) is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee condoled his death through her twitter handle. “Deepest condolences to the family of long-serving former Speaker of West Bengal Assembly Hashim Abdul Halim, “ Ms Banerjee wrote.
Former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee offered his condolences to his family in a press statement. “I am deeply saddened by the death of former state Legislative Assembly Speaker. As a constitutional expert, he had given us invaluable advices. He was the strong pillar of support in maintaining the secular fabrics of the country, “ Mr Bhattacharya wrote.
Governor K.N. Tripathi too conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
Born on June 5, 1935, Halim went on to become a lawyer and served as the state’s law and justice minister from 1977 to 1982. On May 6, 1982, he was made the Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly — a post which he held till 2011. He was elected to the Assembly six times — 1977, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1996, 2001 — from Amdanga Assembly seat in North 24 Parganas. He was elected for the seventh time from Entally Assembly seat in 2006. However, he lost his Assembly seat in 2011 when 34-year Left rule came to an end.
He was the chairman of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the president of World Federation of United Nations Associations.
From the private nursing home, where he breathed his last, his body was taken to his house on Kyd Street.
On Tuesday his body will be taken to the Assembly and then to the state CPI(M) headquarters, where people will pay their last respects to him. He will be laid to rest at Gobra burial ground. According to his wish, his eyes were donated.
Leaders of all political hues rushed to his Kyd Street home as soon as news of his death was aired. Not just his own party men but even leaders of Trinamul Congress paid rich tributes. CPI(M) state secretary Surjyakanta Mishra said his death was an irreparable loss for the party. “We have lost our guardian today. It is an irreparable loss not only for us but for everyone who is fighting to strengthen the parliamentary democracy, “ Mr Mishra said.
Trinamul secretary general and state parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said he had learnt a lot from him when he became the leader of Opposition in the Assembly. “He had a very good sense of humour and he had on numerous occasions given us important advices. He told me that I should never lose my cool and must always speak in the House in a logical manner. He had also tried to initiate a dialogue between Left Front government and the Opposition to solve the Singur issue.”
