Kolkata, Jun 23 (PTI) The West Bengal government today observed the death anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

The state's Urban Development Ministers Firhad Hakim attended a programme in front of Mookerjee's bust at Keoratala crematorium in South Kolkata.

"It is our tradition to pay respect to great personalities. We believe in that culture," Hakim said, paying floral tributes.

TMC leader and Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) chairperson Mala Roy also paid her tributes to Mookerjee.

The bust was vandalised by a group of Left radicals in March in protest against the pulling down of two statues of Russian communist revolutionary Vladimir Lenin in Tripura, allegedly by BJP-RSS activists.

The state government arrested the culprits and installed a new bronze bust of the late leader.

"The bronze bust was unveiled today and we paid our respects," Roy said.

West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said, "Though late, ultimately good sense has prevailed among the TMC leaders."

The BJP and its sister organisations also observed the death anniversary of Mookerjee across the state.

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