Kolkata, July 9 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday called on nonagenarian All India Forward Bloc leader Ashok Ghosh, and said she has always followed the simple lifestyle of Left leaders like him.

Banerjee said she visited Ghosh, the AIFB's state general secretary, as she was away in north Bengal on his 94th birthday on July 2.

Heaping praise on Ghosh, Banerjee said he belonged to the league of great political leaders who dedicated their entire life for the cause of the masses.

"Leaders like him, with their simple lifestyle, are examples. They could have easily led opulent lives. But they chose to work for the people and share their hardships. I share the lifestyle of those Communist leaders who stood by such simple living," said Banerjee after greeting Ghosh at his party office.

Describing it as a "courtesy visit", she said politics was all about ideals. "Courtesy is a must in politics. One needs to show respect to seniors."

"Misuse of power does not go with the ideals of politics. One needs to work for the people and stick to one's commitments. One should follow what one says," she said.

"I wish him many more years of good health and happiness," Banerjee later posted on her Twitter handle.

She handed over flowers and sweets to Ghosh during their 30-minute interaction.

Ghosh -- the seniormost Left Front leader in the state -- called Banerjee his "younger sister" and presented her a portrait of revolutionary leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.