'I went to Jyoti Basu's residence to inform him about Chakraborty's death. He was extremely shocked to hear the news,' Bose told reporters here.

Chakraborty died in a city hospital Monday morning after battling lung and kidney disorders besides severe heart problem. He was 68.

Party sources said Chakraborty was also in advanced stage of cancer, but the hospital did not confirm it.

The minister was given blood transfusion Sunday night for increasing his platelet count and also underwent dialysis.