Kolkata: The country had lost out in not
having a prime minister in Jyoti Basu in 1996, RJD president
Lalu Prasad said today.
"Had Basu become PM then there would have a lot of
difference in the country today. I think there would have been
a lot of progress and the dream of establishing socialism in
the country would have got a boost," Prasad, who was here to
visit the ailing Marxist patriarch in hospital along with LJP
chief Ram Vilas, told reporters here.
When told that his party did not allow Basu to become
prime minister, Prasad said "Basu is a great leader and he
himself refused."
Paswan said even if people a hundred years from now
forgot the names of past prime ministers, Basu's name would
not be forgotten.
"Basu is not only a Left leader, he is a national
leader. We all want him to recover soon and give us
direction," Paswan said.
"A team of doctors is trying their best. They are
optimistic. We pray to God that Basu gets well and gives us
direction for the betterment of the country," Prasad added.
-PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 13, 2010, 20:12