Gauri Bhattacharya, a former MLA from Barjala, West Tripura and veteran CPIM leader breathed her last at her residence today. She was 95. Bhattacharya represented the Barjala Assembly constituency in 1977 and 1983 after beginning her political journey at the grassroots level.
Agartala, August 08: Veteran CPIM leader, former MLA and prominent women’s movement organiser Gauri Bhattacharya died at her residence in Sinaighani on Saturday morning. She was 95.
Bhattacharya had been suffering from several age-related ailments. She was recently admitted to ILS Hospital in Agartala for treatment.
Her death has drawn condolences from CPIM leaders and tributes from members of the Tripura Legislative Assembly. Her mortal remains were brought to the Assembly premises, where legislators paid their last respects.
Gauri Bhattacharya Dies at 95
Bhattacharya leaves behind one son, two daughters and other family members.
Her mortal remains were brought to the Tripura Assembly premises on Saturday. Deputy Speaker Ram Prasad Pal and several ministers and MLAs paid tribute to the veteran leader.
Ministers Sushanta Chowdhury, Sudhangshu Das, Tinku Roy and Santana Chakma attended the tribute programme. Left MLAs Nayan Sarkar, Sudip Sarkar and Dipankar Sen also paid their respects.
The tribute reflected Bhattacharya’s long association with Tripura’s political and public life.
Two-Term MLA From Barjala
Bhattacharya became a member of the CPIM in the early 1970s.
She entered electoral politics at the grassroots level. In 1972, she was elected Pradhan of Sinaighani Panchayat.
At the time, Panchayat elections were conducted through a show-of-hands system. Despite the political challenges of the period, Bhattacharya maintained her Left identity and won the Panchayat election.
Her work as Panchayat Pradhan helped her establish a strong relationship with local residents.
She was later elected to the Tripura Legislative Assembly from the Barjala constituency in 1977. She won the seat again in 1983.
As an MLA, she raised issues concerning working people. She also remained vocal about women’s rights and other public-interest issues.
Prominent Figure in Women’s Movement
Bhattacharya played an important role in Tripura’s democratic women’s movement.
She held organisational responsibilities in the Ganatantrik Nari Samiti. She initially served as assistant secretary and later became vice-president.
She travelled across Tripura while carrying out organisational responsibilities.
Her work extended beyond her own locality and Assembly constituency. She remained active in political and organisational activities across the state.
Her decades-long involvement made her a prominent woman leader of Tripura’s Left movement.
Manik Sarkar Pays Tribute
Veteran CPIM leader and former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar expressed deep grief over Bhattacharya’s death.
In his condolence message, Sarkar recalled her contribution as a Panchayat Pradhan, MLA, women’s movement leader and CPIM organiser.
He said her political and organisational activities were not confined to her own locality or Assembly constituency.
According to Sarkar, Bhattacharya travelled across Tripura and remained active in organisational and political responsibilities.
Sarkar also highlighted her honesty, dedication and commitment to public welfare.
He said Bhattacharya earned the trust and confidence of people through her work at the grassroots level.
As an MLA, she also established herself as a people’s leader through her interventions inside and outside the Assembly, Sarkar said.
He described her life as one dedicated to public service.
CPIM Remembers Veteran Leader
The CPIM Tripura State Secretariat also expressed deep sorrow over Bhattacharya’s death.
The party described her as a prominent Left leader, women’s movement organiser and former MLA.
The State Secretariat recalled her grassroots work as Sinaighani Panchayat Pradhan and her two terms as an MLA.
It also highlighted her contribution to raising the concerns of working people and women in the Legislative Assembly.
The party said Bhattacharya’s contribution to strengthening the Left movement in Tripura would remain in its memory.
A Long Political Legacy
Gauri Bhattacharya’s political career spanned more than five decades.
She began with grassroots politics before entering the state legislature. She later took on important organisational responsibilities in the women’s movement and the CPIM.
Her political journey reflected a sustained engagement with public issues, grassroots organisation and women’s rights.
Manik Sarkar also said younger activists of women’s and other democratic organisations could draw lessons from her life and work.
Bhattacharya will be remembered in Tripura for her decades of political and organisational service and her role in the state’s Left and democratic movements.
