“We should not be complacent. And we must do what we have promised to do, and must make sure that people can understand what we are doing, they can understand our programme. Not only that, we have to correct our mistakes. We have made mistakes, and we acknowledged them. We have to take lessons from these mistakes." - Jyoti Basu

“I never feel distanced when I speak to thousands and thousands of people…instead I feel a tremendous surge of energy, a wish to reach out to them, to communicate with them and be one with them.” - Jyoti Basu

"We do believe that not capitalism but socialism is the way towards human progress, and the October Revolution teaches us to move forward along that path." -Jyoti Basu

“I can’t live without the party and if I don’t attend the meetings, won’t be able to know what’s happening here. That’s why, I decided to come to Alimuddin Street (party headquarters).” - jYOTI bASU

“Whatever be the impediments, the Leftists will work in the interest of the workers and the common people. We will never accept the way the central government is surrendering to (the) imperialists,” - jYOTI bASU

“It is man and man alone, who creates history. Despite many crest and thrust people will finally emerge victorious and go in freedom in a classless society free from exploitation of any form.” - Jyoti Basu

Inevitably, Jyoti Basu outlived the legend he became in his lifetime.