March 26, 2006

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:  

Homage to Anil Biswas

 The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party Of India (Marxist) expresses it profound grief and shock at the passing away of Comrade Anil Biswas, Member of the Polit Bureau and Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee of the CPI(M). Anil Biswas suffered a massive cerebral hemorrhage on 18^th March and died in hospital despite the best medical efforts to save his life. He was 62 years old.

Anil Biswas was the most outstanding of the second generation of leaders who developed after the formation of the CPI(M).  Reared in the glorious revolutionary traditions of the communist movement in West Bengal, he rose to be an able exponent of Marxism-Leninism, a brilliant strategist and organizer of the Party.

Born into a poor family in Nadia district, Anil Biswas suffered hardships to pursue his studies in school and college. He was drawn into the student movement in 1962 and was arrested and jailed for 11 months in l965. He joined the Party in 1965. He began his Party work as a journalist in the Ganashakthi, the Party daily.  He was elected to the West Bengal State Committee in 1978 and became a member of the State Secretariat in 1982.

An important contribution of Anil Biswas was to the development of Ganashakthi, of which he was the editor from 1983 to1998.  It was due to his guidance that the Ganashakthi became a full-fledged and comprehensive newspaper.

Comrade Anil Biswas became the Secretary of the West Bengal State Committee in 1998. Under his leadership, the CPI (M) became a powerful and consolidated force. It was due to his untiring efforts, which took a toll on his health, that the CPI (M) state unit occupies the place of pride in the Party.  He was a leader who enjoyed the confidence of all levels of the Party in the state.

Anil Biswas was elected to the Central Committee of the Party in 1985. He was elected to the Polit Bureau in 1998.  In these positions, he made a big contribution to evolution of the tactical line of the Party, in formulating its ideological positions and in adopting a principled stand on organizational questions.  His contribution to the updating of the Party Programme as a member of the Programme Commission was noteworthy.   He played a key role in the Commission of the Central Committee set up to write the History of the Communist Party. It is his initiative which resulted in the publication of the first volume and the preparation of the subsequent volumes.

Anil Biswas set an exemplary standard in adhering to Marxism-Leninism and applying it creatively to the development of the movement and Party.  He led a simple life and his whole time and energies were devoted to Party work.

In his untimely death, the Party and the leadership have suffered a grievous loss.  We will always cherish the memory of this outstanding Communist leader.

The Polit Bureau pays its respectful homage to our beloved Comrade Anil Biswas. The entire Party pledges to emulate his work and example.  The Polit Bureau conveys it heartfelt sympathies to his wife Geetha, daughter Ajanta and all family members.