• Born oEducated at St. Xavier’s School and College and Presidency College, Calcutta.  B.A Honours in English, Bar at Law from Middle Temple, London. 
  • Initiated to Marxism and Politics while in UK. Came in close association with Harry Pollitt, Rajani Palme Dutt, Ben Bradley and other leaders of the  Communist Party ofGreat Britain.
  • Was a member of the India League, London, a member of the Federation of Indian Students in Great Britain, Secretary of the London Majlis.
  • On return to India became a member of the Communist Party of India.  As a trade-unionist, was an important functionary of the B.A. Railroad Workers’ Union and the All India  Railwaymen’s Federation. 
  • He was also in the leadership of several   other trade union organisations.
  • Between 1952 and 1957, was Secretary of the West Bengal Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of India.
  • Elected to the Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1946. 
  • After independence, elected to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1991 and 1996.
  • Was the leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from 1957 to 1967.
  • Was Deputy Chief Minister of the two United Front Governments in West Bengal in 1967 and 1969. 
  • Took his oath as Chief Minister of West Bengal on 21st June, 1977.  Headed the Left Front government in the State for five consecutive terms.
  • Relinquished the office of the Chief Minister on November 6, 2000.
  • Member of the Central Committee and Special Invitee to the Polit Bureau of the CPI(M).n July 8, 1914 in Calcutta.
  • He died on January 16, 2010