Veteran CPI leader and former MP Gurudas Dasgupta died in Kolkata on Thursday following a prolonged illness, party sources said.

He was 83. Dasgupta is survived by his wife and daughter.

West Bengal CPI secretary Swapan Banerjee said, 'He (Dasgupta) passed away at his home in Kolkata at 6 am. He was suffering from lung cancer for quite some time. Due to his poor health, he had relinquished party posts, though he continued to be a member of the national executive council of the CPI.'

A fiery orator who never shied away from raising issues concerning the masses and the working class both inside and outside Parliament, Dasgupta was baptized into politics as a student leader during the tumultuous '50s and '60s.

He went underground on several occasions during that period.

After the CPI split in 1964, which led to the formation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Dasgupta decided to stay with the parent party.

Later, he was shifted to the labour wing of the party in the early '70s to work among the labour force employed in the organised and unorganised sectors.

Dasgupta became a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1985.

He was also elected to the Lok Sabha from Panskura and Ghatal constituencies of West Bengal in 2004 and 2009, respectively.

As a parliamentarian, he was known for his oratory skills and his speeches earned praise from politicians, cutting across party lines.

In 2014, he decided not to contest Lok Sabha polls owing to his poor health.

Many politicians took to Twitter to condoles the demise of the CPI veteran leader.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said, 'Saddened at the passing away of CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta ji. He will be remembered for his contribution to the nation as a parliamentarian and trade union leader. Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.'

'Gurudas Dasgupta Ji was one of the most committed and articulate proponents of his ideology. He was a strong voice in Parliament, whose interventions were keenly heard across the political spectrum,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.

'Deeply saddened by the demise of 83 years old CPI leader Shri Gurudas Dasgupta. May god give strength to his family and loved ones to bear this loss,' BJP leader Mukul Roy wrote.

'Saddened to learn of the passing of Veteran CPI & trade union leader Sri Gurudas Dasgupta. His powerful speeches and unparalleled work to strengthen trade unions and the rights of the union members will forever be remembered. My deep condolences to his family,' former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wrote on Twitter.

'Sad to hear of the passing of Shri Gurudas Dasgupta, senior CPI leader, trade unionist and a veteran parliamentarian who had a forceful presence in the House. A big loss for public life in Bengal and India. Condolences to his family, colleagues and well-wishers #PresidentKovind,' President Ram Nath Kovind said.

'Passing away of veteran leader and trade unionist Gurudas Dasgupta is a big loss for the nation. He will always be remembered for his brilliant parliamentary track record and probity in public life,' Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said.