JYOTI BASU: “IRONICALLY, much of the debate in the media and in political circles on Jyoti Basu’s role in national politics pertains to a role that he did not assume. The issue – of Jyoti Basu being offered the Prime Minister’s post in 1996 to head the United Front government, and his party, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), deciding against his accepting the offer – had come up time and again during his lifetime.” - VENKITESH RAMAKRISHNAN