In a rare display of political austerity amid widespread debates on public spending, former CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Bikas Ranjan Bhattacharya has formally declined the lifetime pension allocated to retired members of Parliament, underscoring a commitment to forgo entitlements he views as undue.

Bhattacharya, a senior advocate and veteran Left leader whose six-year term ended on April 2, communicated his decision in a concise letter dated April 16 to Rajya Sabha Secretary General PP K Ramachandranunni. "Sir, this is to inform you that I have decided not to accept the pension available to a retired MP. You please keep your record to reflect my desire and oblige," the note read, which he shared on his official social media handle Thursday morning.

Elected unopposed in 2020 from West Bengal with Congress support, Bhattacharya represented the state in the Upper House until recent elections filled five seats — four for Trinamool Congress (TMC) and one for BJP — leaving the CPI(M)-led Left Front sidelined due to its absence from the state Assembly.

The move revives Bhattacharya's long-standing reputation for renouncing perks. As Kolkata's Mayor from 2005 to 2010, he similarly refused the salary and allowances tied to the position, drawing from CPI(M) principles of selfless service, party veterans recall. "Comrade Bhattacharya has always walked the talk on austerity," said a senior CPI(M) leader, speaking anonymously. "This isn't new; it's consistent with his ideology."

Now contesting the Jadavpur Assembly seat in South 24 Parganas for the upcoming two-phase West Bengal elections — with polling on April 29 — Bhattacharya's gesture has sparked widespread praise online. Social media users hailed it as a "beacon of integrity" in an "era of greed," with comments flooding his post: "True leadership means sacrifice, not salary," one user wrote, garnering thousands of likes.

The decision arrives against the backdrop of MP pension reforms. Lifetime pensions for former parliamentarians, indexed to inflation, have faced scrutiny, with monthly payouts often exceeding ₹25,000 plus dearness relief. Critics argue such benefits burden taxpayers, while supporters defend them as earned for public service.

CPI(M) sources emphasized Bhattacharya's consistency, noting his legal career and political roles never wavered from personal frugality. As West Bengal gears up for polls dominated by TMC-BJP rivalries, his stance positions him as a principled outlier in a high-stakes campaign.

IANS