“Following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, when anti-communist forces were stealing a march over communist forces in many parts of the world, there was this big campaign doing the rounds that communism had no future. But Basu continued to lead those successive electoral triumphs of the CPI (M) and the Left Front in West Bengal, proving the critics wrong and encouraging comrades all over the world. One should not forget that Basu had led the Communist party and made it a movement with such a mass base in West Bengal after thoroughly defeating an oppressive, undemocratic, semi-fascist, anti-Communist government led by Siddhartha Shankar Ray.” - V.S. Achuthanandan, Kerala Chief Minister.