RSS mourns Jyoti Basu's death

RSS mourned the death of CPI(M) patriarch and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu, describing him as a "legendary Communist leader" and a "committed and principled politician".

"The news of the demise of the legendary Communist leader and former chief minister of West Bengal Jyoti Basu has saddened the countrymen. Basu had led a life committed to Communism Marxism (sic)," RSS general secretary Bhayyaji Joshi said in his condolence message.

"In his long years of political struggle he had vigorously pursued his ideology, when in power and out of it," he added.

RSS, the fountainhead of the right-wing Sangh Parivar which includes the BJP, is ideologically opposed to CPI(M) and other Left parties.

"In Basu's death the country has lost a committed and principled politician. On behalf of the RSS, I convey my heartfelt condolences to his personal and ideological family," Joshi said.