Kolkata, Aug 16 (IANS) Amid tears, floral tributes, songs and emotional speeches, the family and friends of Subhas Chakraborty Sunday remembered the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader who died earlier this month.
People from as diverse fields as culture, sports and even religious bodies, apart from politics, attended the memorial meeting at the satellite township Salt Lake.

Former Lok Sabha sepaker Somnath Chatterjee found it hard to hold back his tears as he recalled how Chakraborty had backed him when he was expelled from the CPI-M.

“He stood by me in my moment of crisis. He told me whatever happens I can never forget you,” a sobbing Chatterjee said.

He said Chakraborty never displayed any pettiness in his life. “Not only politics, education, culture, sports, everywhere he was involved with the masses. Such a personality is rare.”

The octogenarian said Chakraborty died at a time when he was needed the most. “His partymen are all seasoned veterans. But they have to not only keep his memory alive, but also carry to a logical conclusion his fight for an exploitation-free social order.”

In a message, CPI-M patriarch and former West Bengal chief minister Jyoti Basu said it was a painful day for him. “Subhas was very close to me. It gives me immense pain that I am writing this message for his memorial meeting.

“Chakraborty was needed in these difficult times,” the 94-year-old Basu said, referring to the CPI-M-led Left Front’s debacle in the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Bollywood hero Mithun Chakraborty, singer Usha Uthup, CPI-M state secretary Biman Bose, several state ministers, theatre personalities and sportspersons like former Olympic soccer captain Samar Banerjee were among those who spoke at the meeting where Chakraborty’s favourite songs were rendered.

Union Finance Minister Praanb Mukherjee also sent a message through one of his close associates in the Congress.

Chakraborty died here Aug 3 after battling cancer.