Samir Putatundu, a prominent figure in West Bengal's Left politics and a key ally of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during the historic Singur and Nandigram agitations, passed away on Sunday night. He was 74 years old.
The veteran leader breathed his last at a private hospital in South Kolkata. According to sources close to his family, he had been battling multiple health issues for several days prior to his demise.
From SFI President to PDS Co-founder
Putatundu's political journey was deeply rooted in the student movement of the Left. His organisational prowess saw him rise to become the state president of the Student Federation of India (SFI) in 1979.
His commitment to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) led him to serve as the district secretary for South 24 Parganas during the 1990s. However, a significant ideological shift occurred just before the crucial 2011 Assembly elections.
Alongside another senior leader, Saifuddin Choudhury, Putatundu parted ways with the CPI(M). The duo went on to establish the Party for Democratic Socialism (PDS). In a bold political move that year, Putatundu contested from the Jadavpur Assembly constituency, challenging the then Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, though he did not emerge victorious.
A Pivotal Role in Singur and Nandigram
Beyond his electoral ventures, Samir Putatundu etched his name in Bengal's contemporary political history through his active participation in the farmer-led movements of Singur and Nandigram. He stood alongside Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, providing crucial organisational support drawn from his extensive experience within the Left fold.
It is noteworthy that while Putatundu allied with Banerjee, his PDS co-founder Saifuddin Choudhury had opposed her campaign against the CPI(M) government at that time, highlighting the complex political dynamics of the period.
Leaders Mourn the Loss
The news of his death prompted heartfelt condolences from across the political spectrum. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed profound grief on social media platform X.
She wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the loss of Samir Putatundu, a once powerful leader of the Left movement. It feels like I have lost someone of my own. We worked together in the Singur-Nandigram movement." She extended her solidarity to his wife, Anuradha.
From the CPI(M), Central Committee member Sujan Chakraborty also paid his tributes. He acknowledged Putatundu's past role as SFI president and later as a PDS leader, stating he mourned the death. Chakraborty mentioned that he spoke to Putatundu's wife, Anuradha Dev, who was also a part of the student movement, to convey his condolences.
The passing of Samir Putatundu marks the end of a chapter for a political activist whose career traversed the heart of Bengal's Left politics to becoming a significant figure in the mass movements that reshaped the state's political landscape.
