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Death Former General Secretary of CPI(M) Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet, who was known as a king maker in the Indian political circles has died in New Delhi. He was one of the most senior leaders of the party and has remained General Secretary of the party from 1992 to 2005. He was member of CPI(M)’s Polit Bureau from 1964 to 2008 but was not included in it this year because of his deteriorating health. Earlier he was released from the hospital on June 3 after he was admitted in the hospital because of a severe cardiac arrest. But he was again admitted in the hospital on July 25^th.

King Maker During his days of General Secretary of the party he was known as ‘Uncrowned Prime Minister of India’ or as a ‘King Maker’. He always opposed BJP as a communal party and is known for his stand against it. He played an instrumental role in formation of anti-BJP coalition Governments in the past. Whether Communists were in power of not his voice was always heard very closely. He was always admired even by his opponents for his straightforwardness. Everyone respected him in the political circles as he had been a political activists for more than seven decades who also had participated in the freedom struggle.

Career His political career started even before he was eighteen. He joined Naujwan Bharat Sabha founded by Sheheed-A-Aazam Sardar Bhagat Singh in 1930. Later on he joined Communist Party of Indian and also had played an important role in formation of Kisan Sabha (Peasants Union). He sided with the CPI(M) after the split of the CPI in 1964. He was at the peak of his political career during the days of his post of General secretary of the party as he had played an important role in formation of anti-BJP alliances and had succeeded in forming governments.

Weaknesses During his whole life he always stood against the communalism. Whether it was communal partition of India, separate Sikh homeland called Khalistan or the Hindu fundamentalists he always opposed them. There are many weaknesses if be take into account his political career. Though he was a national leader but he could not establish his own party in his home state. There is not any communist leader in Punjab who have a mass appeal. But whenever there was a political crisis in India he played a vital role and saved the country from the clutches of fundamentalists.