The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expresses its deep sorrow and anguish at the death of Comrade Shyamal Chakraborty, member of the Central Committee of the Party. He was aged 77 and died this afternoon at a Kolkata hospital following a cardiac arrest.
He was admitted to the hospital a few days ago due to some health issues and later tested positive for Covid-19.
Shyamal Chakraborty joined the student movement in the early 1960s and was elected General Secretary of the student’s union at the Vidyasagar College, Calcutta.
He joined the undivided Communist Party in 1960. He was elected to the West Bengal Legislative assembly for the first time in 1981 and later on for three more terms. He served as Minister for Transport for nine years. He was also elected to the Rajya Sabha for a term.
Shyamal Chakraborty was associated with various unions of workers. He discharged responsibilities in the Centre of Indian Trade Unions in various capacities including serving as the President of its West Bengal unit.
He was elected to the state Committee of the Party in 1978 and the Central Committee in 2002.
He was jailed for a period of a year and stayed underground for six months.
The Polit Bureau sends its heartfelt condolences to his daughter Ushasi and to the entire membership of the Party in West Bengal.