We mourn the demise of Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya 'Shambhuji' (07.03.1942 - 30.10.2026), Polit Bureau member and one of the founding leaders of CPI(ML) Liberation, who passed away late this evening at a hospital in Patna. He had been undergoing treatment for cancer.
Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya was the last surviving member of the reorganised Central Committee of CPI(ML) Liberation constituted in July 1974. He played a pivotal anchoring role in the Party's onward march through five decades of political struggles, organisational challenges and the building of the revolutionary movement.
His passing is a profound loss to the Party and the revolutionary movement. The Party dips its red banner in salute to Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya and resolves to carry forward his unfulfilled mission with the fullest dedication and energy.
His cremation will take place on 2 November in Patna.
Red Salute to Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya.
NOTE: Messages of condolence may be sent to cpimlhq@gmail.com and mail@cpiml.org.
-- Central Committee, CPI(ML) Liberation | 30.10.2026
----
A Brief Sketch of Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya
Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya’s political journey was inseparably bound up with the historic task of rebuilding the CPI(ML) and carrying forward the revolutionary legacy of Naxalbari. He was the last surviving member of the reconstituted Central Committee of the CPI(ML), formed on 28 July 1974. From that historic moment until his final days, he remained tirelessly engaged in leading the Party’s growth and development. The other two members of the reconstituted Central Committee in 1974 were Comrade Jauhar (Subrata Dutta) and Comrade Vinod Mishra. Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya also served as the Bihar State Secretary of the Party from 1974 to 1980.
He made an invaluable contribution to building and expanding the Party across the country. From Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to Assam, West Bengal and Tripura; from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, Party cadres across almost every state where the CPI(ML) expanded benefited from his political, ideological and organisational guidance. His significant role in the Party’s sustained growth over the past five decades, his selfless communist commitment, personal sacrifices, and deep affection and sensitivity towards his comrades will always be remembered.
Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya’s personal life was also marked by immense hardship and struggle. During his childhood, his family was compelled to leave East Bengal and migrate to West Bengal in the aftermath of Partition. He completed his primary education in Comilla, in East Bengal. Having lost his father at a young age, he took on the responsibility of supporting his family by shouldering the burden of their ancestral business. While fulfilling these family responsibilities, he went on to complete his Higher Secondary education in Kolkata and subsequently earned a B.Com degree from Calcutta University. He later worked for a few years in a major public sector undertaking.
By then, Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya had immersed himself fully in revolutionary politics. As the historic Naxalbari peasant uprising faced brutal state repression, he stood alongside revolutionary comrades in the arduous struggle to reorganise the scattered forces, rebuild the Party and carry the revolutionary movement forward. This was a period of immense challenges, demanding courage, conviction and unwavering commitment.
For Comrade Swadesh, Party building had become the central purpose of his life. Continuing in his job while confronting the intense state repression of the early 1970s was no longer an option. He chose to give up his job and devote himself entirely to revolutionary politics. From then on, his life belonged to the Party and the people.
He was entrusted with the responsibility of the Party’s Organisation Department from its early years and remained one of the most dedicated and conscientious comrades in the task of Party organisation, guiding the building of a strong Party organisation in keeping with changing circumstances. From the formulation of the Party Constitution and its rules and regulations to the everyday organisational responsibilities of the Party, comrades across the organisation consistently looked to him for guidance. For generations of younger comrades, he was not only a trusted guide in organisational work but also a source of political understanding, encouragement and inspiration.
He was also the editor of the Party’s central weekly bulletin, ML Update, from its inception. Following the Party’s Fifth Congress in 1992, he took charge of establishing and running the Party’s Central Office in Delhi, a responsibility he carried out with dedication.
The passing of Comrade Swadesh Bhattacharya is an irreparable loss for the Party. Yet, the life he lived and the struggles he led inspire us to renew our resolve and work with greater determination to realise the vision to which he devoted his entire life.
His life and struggles, forged through decades of unwavering commitment to the Party and the people, will remain a lasting source of inspiration for generations of communists and for students, youth, women, workers and peasants fighting for social transformation. His revolutionary legacy will continue to guide our struggles and strengthen our resolve, particularly in the most difficult circumstances.
