Jyoti Basu was a Bengali politician belonging to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) from West Bengal, India. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1977 to 2000, making him the longest-serving Chief Minister of any state of India. Basu was a member of the CPI(M) Politburo from the time of the party's founding in 1964 until 2008.
Background
Jyoti Basu was born as Jyotirindra Basu in an upper middle-class family at 43/1 Harrison Road, now Mahatma Gandhi Road, in Calcutta, West Bengal. He was born as the third child to Nishikanta Basu and Hemalata Basu. While his father was a doctor from Barudi village in Narayanganj District, East Bengal (presently in Bangladesh), his mother was a homemaker.
Education
Basu started his schooling at the age of six from Loreto School at Dharmatala in Calcutta in 1920. It was here that his name was shortened to Jyoti Basu by his father. In 1925, he moved on to St. Xavier's School.
He completed his bachelor's degree in English from Presidency College, University of Calcutta in 1935. He went to London thereafter to pursue his higher studies in law from University College London.
Career
Leader of former Eastern Bengal Railroad Workers’ Union. Elected to Bengal Legis. Council 1946; after Partition remained a.
Chairman Editorial Board Swadhinata. Executive Committee and National Seer, until CP split 1963. Subsequently; Deputy Chief Minister and Minister in Charge of Finance in first United Front Government 1967, Deputy Chief Minister in second United Front Government.
Member of Parliament for Satgachia 1977. Subsequently Leader of Left Front Legislature Party. Chief Minister of W. Bengal since 1977.