Rich tributes were paid to the departed communist leader and former West Bengal Chief Minister, Jyoti Basu at a condolence meeting in Kolkata today. Leaders cutting across the party lines, described Basu as a legendary figure in cummunist movement in the country, who made a history in parliamentary politics.<br/><br/>Speaking on the occasion, the CPI(M) General Secrtetary, Mr. Prakash Karat recalled Basu's contribution in land reforms and Panchayati Raj systems in West Bengal during his Chief Ministership.<br/><br/>Mr. Karat said that ideals of Jyoti Basu has to be carry forward for the welfare of down trodden people. Taking part at the condolence meeting organised by the Left Front at Shaheed Minar Maidan in Kolkata this afternoon, the State Chief Minister, Mr. Budhadeb Bhattarcharjee said that Basu's teachings, ideals and secular attitude have to be protected with due respect for the benefit of future generation. <br/><br/>AIR Kolkata correspondent Arijit Chakraborty reports, besides Left Front constituents, different political parties including representatives from communist parties of Bangladesh and Nepal spoke on the occasion. However, Trinamul Congress and BJP did not attend it. The State Left Front Chairman, Mr. Biman Basu read out the condolence message. <br/>Thousands of people carrying th picture of Jyoti Basu with red flags attended the mamooth gathering.