As West Bengal's election heads to a crunch result, we look at Jyoti Basu’s 23-year rule to Mamata Banerjee’s rise, exploring the longest-serving Chief Ministers of West Bengal and their political legacy.

West Bengal election result 2026: Longest-serving Chief Ministers in state's history

Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee died on Thursday (Aug 8) morning at his south Kolkata residence, CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim said.

He was suffering from old age-related ailments. Bhattacharjee was 80 and is survived by his wife Mira and daughter Suchetana. The CPI(M) leader was the chief minister of the state from 2000 to 2011.

The veteran CPI(M) leader took over as the chief minister of West Bengal in 2000 from party senior Jyoti Basu.

Bhattacharya lost the 2011 assembly election to Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M)-led Left Front's 34-year-long rule in the state came to an end that year.

His tenure was marked by agitations over the acquisition of land for industries led by present Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Bhattacharya stepped down from the CPI(M) politburo and central committee in 2015 and gave up membership of the party's state secretariat in 2018.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-protests-west-bengal-cm-offers-shelter-to-helpless-people-742821">Also read |&nbsp;Bangladesh protests: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee offers shelter to ‘helpless people’</a>

Over the last few years, he mostly stayed away from public programmes and remained confined to his two-room government apartment at Palm Avenue in south Kolkata.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience

Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee died on Thursday (Aug 8) morning at his south Kolkata residence, CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim said.

Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee died on Thursday (Aug 8) morning at his south Kolkata residence, CPI(M) state secretary Mohd Salim said. He was suffering from old age-related ailments. Bhattacharjee was 80 and is survived by his wife Mira and daughter Suchetana. The CPI(M) leader was the chief minister of the state from 2000 to 2011. The veteran CPI(M) leader took over as the chief minister of West Bengal in 2000 from party senior Jyoti Basu. Bhattacharya lost the 2011 assembly election to Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress and the CPI(M)-led Left Front's 34-year-long rule in the state came to an end that year. His tenure was marked by agitations over the acquisition of land for industries led by present Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Bhattacharya stepped down from the CPI(M) politburo and central committee in 2015 and gave up membership of the party's state secretariat in 2018. Also read | Bangladesh protests: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee offers shelter to ‘helpless people’ Over the last few years, he mostly stayed away from public programmes and remained confined to his two-room government apartment at Palm Avenue in south Kolkata. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience

India: Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee dies in Kolkata at 80

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West Bengal election result 2026: Longest-serving Chief Ministers in state's history

India: Former West Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee dies in Kolkata at 80