Ratna Bhattacharya, the wife of veteran CPM leader and former MLA and mayor of Siliguri Asok Bhattacharya, died at a private nursing home in Calcutta on Wednesday morning. She was 69.

Party leaders said she was ailing for some time.

Sharing the news on social media, Asok wrote: “I have lost my life partner who was with me for the past 41 years.” She had excellent relations with several people, including politicians and sports personalities, many of whom called her kakima, he added.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences.

Jibesh Sarkar, the CPM district secretary of Darjeeling, said her mortal remains would be brought to Siliguri on Thursday for last rites.

“We will pay homage to her at the district party office and then arrangements would be made for her last rites,” he said.