Politics – Veteran Leader Mukul Roy Dies at 69 in Kolkata
Politics – Veteran politician Mukul Roy, a prominent figure in West Bengal’s political landscape and a former Union Railway Minister, died in the early hours of Monday in Kolkata. He was 69. Roy suffered a cardiac arrest and breathed his last at around 1:30 am at Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake.
His son, Subhranshu Roy, confirmed the news of his passing shortly after the incident, bringing an end to weeks of speculation about his health. Roy had been unwell for the past few years and had largely withdrawn from active public life.
A Long Political Journey in West Bengal
Mukul Roy played a significant role in shaping contemporary politics in West Bengal. He was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Krishnanagar Uttar constituency and was widely regarded as a skilled political strategist.
Over the years, Roy also represented West Bengal in the Rajya Sabha, where he served two terms. His tenure in Parliament saw him take on national responsibilities, including his appointment as the 32nd Minister of Railways in the Union government. His brief stint as Railway Minister placed him among the few leaders from the state to hold the crucial portfolio.
Founding Role in Trinamool Congress
Roy was among the founding members of the All India Trinamool Congress when the party was formed. He was considered one of its key organizational pillars during its formative years and played an instrumental role in strengthening its grassroots presence across the state.
However, his political path witnessed significant shifts. In February 2015, he was removed from his position as the party’s national general secretary. The development marked a turning point in his association with the organization he had helped build.
Switch to BJP and Return to TMC
In November 2017, Roy joined the Bharatiya Janata Party, a move that drew widespread attention in state politics. Within the BJP, he was given a prominent role and was seen as a leader capable of expanding the party’s base in West Bengal.
He remained with the BJP through the 2019 general elections and the politically charged period that followed. However, in June 2021, shortly after the West Bengal Assembly elections, Roy returned to the Trinamool Congress, re-entering the party fold after nearly four years.
His shifting political affiliations reflected the fluid nature of state politics during that period, though Roy himself maintained a relatively low public profile after rejoining his former party.
Political Leaders React
Tributes began pouring in from across party lines following confirmation of his death. Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh described Roy as an experienced and capable politician who had served both the state and the country.
Ghosh noted that Roy was accorded respect during his time in the BJP between 2019 and 2021. He also acknowledged that the veteran leader had been battling health issues in recent years, which prevented him from participating actively in political affairs. Offering condolences, Ghosh said he prayed for Roy’s soul to rest in peace.
Declining Health in Recent Years
For the past two to three years, Mukul Roy’s health had reportedly deteriorated, limiting his public appearances and engagement in political activities. While he remained an elected representative, his presence in day-to-day political developments had significantly reduced.
Despite stepping back from active politics, Roy’s earlier contributions to both state and national politics left a lasting mark. From his organizational role in building a regional party to holding a key Union ministry, his career spanned decades of political change in West Bengal.
With his passing, the state has lost a seasoned political figure whose journey mirrored the evolving dynamics of Indian politics over the past two decades.