After paying her tributes to Basu, Gandhi called on Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in his official chamber at the state Assembly. When she entered the CM’s chamber, CPM leaders like Sitaram Yechuri, Biman Bose and Asim Dasgupta were already present. A few minutes later, CPM general secretary Prakash Karat joined the gathering. Somnath Chatterjee, former Lok Sabha Speaker and expelled CPM leader, was also present. However, sources said Gandhi limited her attention to the CM.

Accompanied by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee and few other state Congress leaders, Gandhi expressed her desire to meet Chandan Basu soon after reaching the CM’s chamber. A while later, Chandan, his wife Rakhi, and son Subhajyoti met the Congress president.

Sources in the CM secretariat said Karat was sitting opposite Gandhi while Yechuri and Mukherjee were engaged in some conversation. Gandhi was talking to Bhattacharjee, who showed her the photograph of Bidhan Chandra Roy, the legendary Congress leader who was West Bengal CM till 1962.

During her 10-minute stay, Gandhi finished her tea offered by the CM but exchanged no word with Karat, sources present there said.

As she entered the Assembly premises, Gandhi was received by Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim and Leader of the Opposition Partho Chatterjee. She walked to the place where Basu’s body was kept and laid a wreath, followed by Pranab Mukherjee.