Kolkata, Aug 8: Communist stalwart and former West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee passed away at his residence here this morning. He was 80.

Sources quoting family members said Bhattacharjee was ailing for some time. He breathed at his residence at Ballygunge at around 8:20 am in the presence of family members. 

Bhattacharya served West Bengal as 7th chief minister for 11 years from 2000 to 2011. 

Bhattacharjee was born on March 1, 1944. In a political career over five decades, he became one of the senior leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) during his regime.

He is known for living a frugal life.