The political landscape of West Bengal mourns the loss of a veteran figure as Samir Putatunda, a prominent Left leader, passed away at the age of 74 following a prolonged illness. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Kolkata's Mukundapur area around 11:15 PM on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
A Life Dedicated to Political Struggle
Putatunda was a significant and influential figure within the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for many years. His political journey, however, took a different turn when he, along with fellow leader Saifuddin Choudhury, left the CPI(M) due to ideological differences. Together, they co-founded the Party of Democratic Socialism (PDS), although the new party did not achieve substantial electoral success in the state.
Throughout his life, Putatunda remained a committed political activist, deeply engaged with grassroots people's movements. His legacy is particularly tied to the fierce anti-land acquisition agitations in Singur and Nandigram in the late 2000s. These movements, which played a pivotal role in reshaping West Bengal's politics, were spearheaded by Mamata Banerjee, then in the opposition.
Tributes Pour In From Across the Political Spectrum
The news of his demise prompted heartfelt condolences from leaders across party lines, highlighting the respect he commanded. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed profound grief, stating she felt deeply heartbroken. In a post on social media platform X, she recalled their shared history in the iconic movements.
"It feels as though I have lost someone of my own. We worked together in the Singur-Nandigram movement. There are no words to console Anuradha and the others, yet I am always by their side," the Chief Minister wrote, addressing Putatunda's wife, Anuradha.
Dipankar Bhattacharya, the general secretary of CPI(ML) Liberation, also paid rich tributes. He reminisced about collaborating with Putatunda and other PDS comrades in various struggles, from the fights against Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and corporate takeovers during the Singur-Nandigram era to the more recent citizenship and farmers' movements.
"I have many fond memories of interacting with him... in the fight to foil the BJP’s fascist game plan in the state," Bhattacharya stated, offering his condolences to the family and comrades.
Remembered as a People's Leader
Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty remembered his former colleague as a dedicated activist who never severed his connection with mass movements. This sentiment underscores Putatunda's political identity, which was rooted more in agitation and mobilization than in electoral politics after his departure from the CPI(M).
Samir Putatunda is survived by his wife, Anuradha. His death marks the end of an era for a certain strand of Left politics in Bengal, one that was intimately involved in the landmark peasant and land rights movements that defined the state's political trajectory in the 21st century. His passing leaves a void in the circle of leaders who were at the forefront of those decisive struggles.
