Veteran CPM leader Nirupam Sen dies at 72

Kolkata: Veteran CPI(M) leader and former industry minister Nirupam Sen, who had played a prominent role in trying to make Tata’s Nano project in Singur a reality for the industrial development in the state during the Left Front rule, passed away at a private hospital in Salt Lake early Monday after a prolong illness. He was 72. The former politburo member of the CPI(M) is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. He had been admitted to the hospital nearly a week ago with chest infection. His condition deteriorated later. At around 5.10 am on Monday Sen died. Elected to the West Bengal Assembly thrice, Sen became the commerce and industry minister in 2001 in the Left Front government for two terms. In 2013 he however suffered a brain hemorrhage leading to a partial paralysis. After his ill health, Sen was made a special invitee to the CPI(M) central committee between 2015 and 2018. CPI(M) Polit Bureau, former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mr Bhattacharjee’s successor Mamata Banerjee mourned Sen’s demise.

Describing Sen “an outstanding leader of the Party” in a statement the CPI(M) Polit Bureau hailed him as “a dedicated Marxist who endeared himself to all with his gentle and modest behavior.” Mr Bhattacharjee said, “I have worked with Comrade Nirupam Sen in the party as well as in the government for a long time. His efficiency and honesty will always be in my memory. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Ms Banerjee tweeted, “Saddened at the passing away of Nirupam Sen, former Minister of  West Bengal. Condolences to his family and well wishers.” Beginning his political life as a student activist Sen became a prominent leader of the Bengal Provincial Student Federation and later the CPI(M) student wing: Students Federation of India.

Joining the CPI(M) in 1964 he became the district committee secretary in Burdwan from 1989 to 1995.

Kolkata: Veteran CPI(M) leader and former industry minister Nirupam Sen, who had played a prominent role in trying to make Tata’s Nano project in Singur a reality for the industrial development in the state during the Left Front rule, passed away at a private hospital in Salt Lake early Monday after a prolong illness. He was 72. The former politburo member of the CPI(M) is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. He had been admitted to the hospital nearly a week ago with chest infection. His condition deteriorated later. At around 5.10 am on Monday Sen died. Elected to the West Bengal Assembly thrice, Sen became the commerce and industry minister in 2001 in the Left Front government for two terms. In 2013 he however suffered a brain hemorrhage leading to a partial paralysis. After his ill health, Sen was made a special invitee to the CPI(M) central committee between 2015 and 2018. CPI(M) Polit Bureau, former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mr Bhattacharjee’s successor Mamata Banerjee mourned Sen’s demise.

Describing Sen “an outstanding leader of the Party” in a statement the CPI(M) Polit Bureau hailed him as “a dedicated Marxist who endeared himself to all with his gentle and modest behavior.” Mr Bhattacharjee said, “I have worked with Comrade Nirupam Sen in the party as well as in the government for a long time. His efficiency and honesty will always be in my memory. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family.”

Ms Banerjee tweeted, “Saddened at the passing away of Nirupam Sen, former Minister of  West Bengal. Condolences to his family and well wishers.” Beginning his political life as a student activist Sen became a prominent leader of the Bengal Provincial Student Federation and later the CPI(M) student wing: Students Federation of India.

Joining the CPI(M) in 1964 he became the district committee secretary in Burdwan from 1989 to 1995.