was a stalwart... a great leader. He held the CPM fort in West Bengal for a long time. The Communist movement has been affected. Basu was in the line of great leaders like E M S Namboodiripad, Bhupesh Gupta and Indrajit Gupta. Our ideologies were different. Still, going by his greatness, I respect him and pay my tributes." Former Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit said "Something seems to have snapped, an era. He was a very dignified leader. He ruled over West Bengal for two decades and can't remember a single time when he was controversial. He ruled for 20 years that speaks of the trust and faith that people had in him. He was one of the tallest chief ministers this country has ever seen." Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee commented "He was a tall political figure in the country. He was instrumental behind formation of the Left Front government in West Bengal. He was the first and last chapter of the Left Front government and Left movement." Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi stated him as one of the pioneers of the socialist movement. Former Finance Minister of India, Arun Jaitley reacted: "One of the tallest contemporary leaders, devoted to his ideology, with perhaps one of the longest innings in Indian public life. Today is not the time to talk about differences. That's the strength of Indian democracy... it gives space to exist with differences." Former External Affairs Minister of India, and Chief Minister of Delhi, Sushma Swaraj: 'He was a leader of stature and experience. He earned so much love and respect of people that his popularity didn't decline after he stepped down as CM. I didn't have such a direct relationship with him but I've always admired his work culture." CPI General Secretary, D. Raja: "One of the finest leaders with a glorious revolutionary legacy. He was a good chief minister who proved that coalition of left parties worked successfully and would have been a great at national level also." Former Prime Minister of India, I. K. Gujral: "Basu's death is a grave loss for the country." Ratan Tata, chairman, Tata group expressed condolences: "We view his passing with great sorrow. He was a great leader of the Nation and of the State. He will be missed by all." B. K. Birla, chairman, B. K. Birla group: "He was an outstanding