AGARTALA, Dec 25 ? A labourer in jute mills at one time, sub-editor at the Ananda Bazar Patrika at another and an ardent Marxist, Nripen Chakraborty was involved in the Communist movement in India for six decades and became Chief Minister of Tripura for two terms.
Inspired by the Gandhian philosophy in his youth he took part in the Dandi March in 1930 and was in regular touch with the Abhay Ashram. A man of spartan habits and a lifelong bachelor, he became a party member in 1935 and joint secretary of the Bengal Provincial Communist Party along with Hirendranath Mukherjee in 1936. He also became secretary of Bengal Provincial Communist Party in 1943.
When Second World War broke out on September 1, 1939 he went underground as the Communist Party was banned. He was arrested in 1941 and sent to Presidency Jail in Calcutta. He was then interned at Hijli Jail from where he managed to flee. A graduate from Dhaka University and a Master of Economics from Calcutta University, Chakraborty became a member of the undivided Communist Party of India (CPI) much before two other prominent Communist leaders, Jyoti Basu and Promod Dasgupta.
Born on April 4, 1904 in Bikrampur of Dhaka district of then East Bengal, Chakraborty was the ninth child of Raj Kumar Chakraborty and Uttam Sundari Devi.
He went to Jagannath College in Dhaka after passing the entrance examination in first division in 1925 and graduated from Dhaka University in first class. He then went to Kolkata and was admitted to the Bangabasi College. He received his masters degree in Economics from Calcutta University.
CM, Governor condole death: Meanwhile, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar today condoled the death of veteran Communist leader and his predecessor Nripen Chakraborty in Kolkata. In a condolence message, Sarkar said a colourful and an important chapter of history came to an end with the demise of the former chief minister.
?Chakraborty might have left us but he will remain in the hearts of tribals and Bengalis and the patriotic people of Tripura. His demise is an irreparable loss to the people of the country.?
Governor D N Sahaya in his message said, Chakraborty?s life has been a saga of struggle and sacrifice and he fought for the rights of the people of Tripura. As a chief minister, he gave the state a caring, transparent and committed government.
Leader of the Opposition Ratan Lal Nath said Chakraborty was an honest and fearless leader who fought bravely against corruption. ?It would be the best tribute to Chakraborty if we can launch vigorous movement against corruption in the state,? he added.