Basu , India 's longest - serving chief minister , said that he would decline the honour , even if awarded .
This was immediately followed by the Communist Party of India ( Marxist ) lobbying for their leader , Jyoti Basu , former Chief Minister of West Bengal .
Chief Minister , India 's longest - serving chief minister , said that leader would decline the honour , even if awarded .
This was immediately followed by the Communist Party of India ( Marxist ) lobbying for their leader , Jyoti Basu , former Chief Minister of West Bengal .