Veteran Bengal leader Mukul Roy passes away at 71; Political fraternity mourns

Veteran West Bengal politician and former Union Minister Mukul Roy passed away at 71 following a cardiac arrest in a Kolkata hospital. A founding member of the Trinamool Congress, Roy later joined the BJP and played a key role in reshaping Bengal’s political landscape.

Post Published By: Sona Saini

Updated : 23 February 2026, 8:12 AM IST

Bengal Politics Mourns the Demise of Mukul Roy

Kolkata: Mukul Roy, a prominent figure in West Bengal politics, passed away at the age of 71. He breathed his last at 1:30 a.m. at Apollo Multispecialty Hospital in Salt Lake, Kolkata. His son, Subhrangshu Roy, confirmed the news. According to reports, he died of cardiac arrest. He had been suffering from several health issues for a long time and was recently admitted to the hospital after his health deteriorated.

Political Journey Started with the Youth Congress

Mukul Roy began his political career with the Youth Congress. He later joined the founding members of the All India Trinamool Congress. As a close associate of party supremo Mamata Banerjee, he played a key role for a long time. Mamata Banerjee appointed him the party's General Secretary, and he emerged as the TMC's leading figure in Delhi.

Role in Rajya Sabha and Railway Ministry

Mukul Roy was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 2006. From 2009 to 2012, he served as the TMC's leader in the Upper House. He also established a strong foothold in central politics and held important responsibilities in the Railway Ministry. Due to his organizational abilities and strategic skills, he was considered the party's "master strategist."

Joining BJP Changed the Political Equation

In November 2017, Mukul Roy left the TMC and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. His decision brought about a major shift in Bengal politics. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 18 seats in Bengal, with Roy's strategy being considered crucial. He also played a role in bringing several TMC leaders into the BJP.

Victory in Assembly Elections

In 2021, Mukul Roy contested and won the Krishnanagar North seat on a BJP ticket. However, his activism diminished in later years due to health reasons.

Mukul Roy's death is being considered a major loss to Bengal politics. Leaders from various parties have expressed grief over his passing and remembered his contributions.