Veteran CPM leader and former MP Basudeb Acharia, 81, passed away at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Monday.

He was suffering from age-related ailments.

Born on July 11, 1942, in Purulia, Acharia is survived by two daughters and one son.

Acharia was a nine-time MP from Bankura since 1980. His parliamentary run ended when the CPM veteran lost the election to Trinamul candidate Moon Moon Sen in 2014.

He also served as chairman of the railways standing committee and as the leader of the Left bloc in Parliament between 2004 and 2014.

As a trade union leader, Acharia led railway and coal workers and was also one of the vice-presidents of the Citu.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Acharia's death on her X handle.

"Saddened at the demise of the veteran Left leader and former MP Basudeb Acharia. He was a trade union leader and Parliamentarian of formidable strength and his departure will cause significant loss in public life. Condolence to his family, friends and colleagues." she wrote.

"He was a true Communist till death. His death will create a vacuum and loss in the world of politics. His defeat in the 2014 general election was very surprising to us as well as to the common people. He was suffering from age-related ailments for long," said Amiya Patra, a central committee member of the CPM.