Prasanta Sur

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Prasanta Sur (Bengali: প্রশান্ত শূর) (1923 – 2008) was the convenor of the Kolkata district Left Front committee and became the first Left Front Mayor of Kolkata in 1967.[1]A member of the state committee of Communist Party of India (Marxist), Sur was the urban development minister in the first Left Front government in 1977. Later, he also held key portfolios like health and refugee rehabilitation. He died on 29 February 2008, after suffering from age-related problems.[2]

[edit] Refugee movement

Hailing from a humble background, Sur joined the Communist Party of India in 1953. After some trade union work, he plunged himself into organising the unending stream of the refugees from East Pakistan, who crossed the border in search of new life in West Bengal. He looked after the initial settlement of the refugees in what came to be known as jabar dakhal colonies (or squatters’ enclaves). There was practically no support from the state government.[3]

Sur and his colleagues in the CPI built up the united council of refugees that led the movement for recognition of the rights of the refugees. He succeeded, almost single-handedly, in building up the large and bustling Netaji Nagar colony of Tollygunj. It was the decade of the late 1950s and early 1960s.[3]

[edit] Electoral politics

When CPI split up, he joined the Communist Party of India (Marxist). After being the first Communist Mayor of Kolkata, he entered assembly election scenario. He won the Tollygunge assembly seat successively in 1977, 1982, 1987 and 1991.[4]

Sur was urban development minister from 1977 till 1982. It was under him that the then Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority really got off the ground, becoming a prime agency for development. He was health minister from 1987 to1991. After 1991 he withdrew from assembly elections.[3]

In 1998, he lost to Mamata Banerjee in the Calcutta South (Lok Sabha constituency).[5]

A simple man of humble disposition, and uncomplicated lifestyle, he, thereafter, devoted himself full time to party work.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Prasanta Sur dies after long illness. UNI. newkerala.com, 29 February 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  2. ^ Prasanta Sur passes away. Times of India, 1 March 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-02.
  3. ^ a b c d Comrade Prasanta Sur (1923-2008). Weekly organ of Communist Party of India (Marxist). People’s Democeacy, Vol XXXII, No. 10, March 9, 2008.. Retrieved on 2008-03-24.
  4. ^ 150 - Tollygunge Assembly Constituency. Partywise comparison since 1977. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.
  5. ^ Partywise comparison since 1977 Lok Sabha elections. 23 - Calcutta South Parliamentary Constituency. Election Commission of India. Retrieved on 2008-03-25.


Persondata
NAME Prasanta Sur
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Political leader
DATE OF BIRTH 1923
PLACE OF BIRTH
DATE OF DEATH 29 February 2008
PLACE OF DEATH Kolkata