Kolkata, Jan 19 (IANS) Roses, marigolds, jasmines...Flowers of all colours, fragrances and shapes poured in as thousands of commoners and leaders paid floral tributes to Marxist patriarch Jyoti Basu, who had ruled West Bengal for 23 long years.

People came with colourful garlands to attend Basu's last journey, and especially pay floral tributes to him at the state assembly where he lay in state.

Partha Chattopadhyay, leader of the state's main opposition Trinamool Congress, came with a garland of red roses.

A four-foot long garland in the shape of the hammer, sickle and star - symbol of Basu's Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) - was also eye-catching.

Some others brought a red garland with 'Lal Salam' written on it.

Basu passed away Sunday at the age of 95.

Groups of schoolchildren, frail-looking men and women turned up to pay homage to Basu, who was a towering public figure in the country. Many tiny tots also came with their parents, turning the traditionally high-security assembly premises into an accessible zone for the masses.

-Indo-Asian News Service

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