Kolkata, Jan 18 (IANS) Despite being a die-hard Communist, Jyoti Basu could ignore party traditions sometimes -- he never objected to the birthday celebrations organised at his Salt Lake residence in the twilight years of his life.

'I started celebrating his birthday almost by force,' said Ramala Chakraborty, a Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M) leader and widow of party stalwart and former state minister Subhas Chakraborty.

The Chakraborty couple was very close to Basu.

Ramala said she started celebrating Basu's birthday since he turned 80.

'It is not at all the party tradition to celebrate anyone's birthday. But I insisted. Though he (Basu) never verbally approved of such celebrations, yet he never objected. So I gathered courage and continued with the celebrations,' Ramala told IANS.

She said her husband helped her but could not play an active role, being a front ranking leader. 'Of course, Subhas helped me. Otherwise I could not have succeeded. But he could not play an active role as he was a party leader. So I took charge'.

A weeping Ramala recalled Basu's love for his grandchildren.

'He was like any other human being. Whenever I gave him chocolates he used to keep it aside for his grandchildren like any other grandpa would.'

After Basu's wife Kamal died in 2003, Ramala used to come to his residence regularly, more so during special occasions.

'I have always tried to give him company on every special occasion. I used to make some special dishes and take it with me. He liked to eat but was a very small eater,' she said.

'After Subhas expired (Aug 3 last year), he has always shown concern about us and enquired about our son's future plans,' she added.