Bardhan a stalwart of secularism: V.S. Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram: Cutting across party lines, top leaders in Kerala on Saturday condoled the death of veteran CPI leader A.B. Bardhan.

Veteran Communist V.S. Achuthanandan described Bardhan -- who died on Saturday at a hospital in Delhi -- as the stalwart of secularism and a true Communist to the core.

"His passing away is going to be an irreparable loss to the Communist and secular movement in the country," Achuthanandan said in a statement issued here.

State Congress president V.M. Sudheeran said Bardhan's work to take forward the Communist movement in the country was praiseworthy and he was one leader who commanded the respect of all.

State BJP president Kummanem Rajasekheran described Bardhan as a model politician for anyone to follow who wished to be in public life.

CPI leaders from Kerala will be in Delhi to take part in the funeral.

Bardhan had suffered a paralytic stroke on December 7, following which he was admitted to a hospital in Delhi.