Senior Communist leader and veteran CPI parliamentarian Gurudas Dasgupta died  after prolonged illness at his South Kolkata residence on Thursday. He was 83 and is survived by his wife Jayashri Dasgupta and a daughter.

Dasgupta, a former MP from Panshkura and Ghatal constituencies of West Midnapore, died of heart attack at 6 am, Bengal CPI secretary Swapan Banerjee said, adding “he was suffering from lung cancer for quite some time.” Though he continued to be a member of the CPI national executive council he had relinquished all other party posts on account of his failing health Banerjee said.

A veteran trade union leader known for one’s excellent oratory in Parliament, Dasgupta was a contemporary of articulate Left leaders like Somnath Chatterjee, Basudeb Acharya and Abani Roy and was one of the tallest generals of Left politics in Bengal.

Expressing his condolence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Shri Gurudas Dasgupta Ji was one of the most committed and articulate proponents of his ideology. He was a strong voice in Parliament, whose interventions were keenly heard across the political spectrum. Saddened by his passing away. May his soul rest in peace.”

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said in his condolence message that Dasgupta was an able parliamentarian. “My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family members, friend and well wishers,” he added.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Saddened at the passing away of CPI leader Gurudas Dasguptaji,” adding, “He will be remembered for his contribution to the nation as a parliamentarian and trade union leader.”

A doyen of trade union movement Dasgupta almost single-handedly, transformed All India Trade Union Congress, lesser-known trade union arm of the CPI, into a major force, almost matching the prowess of CPI(M)’s Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) in terms of membership.