Senior TMC Leader and Former Railway Minister Mukul Roy Dies at 71
Founding Trinamool Congress figure and former Union Railway Minister passes away after prolonged illness
New Delhi, Feb 23 : Mukul Roy, senior leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) and former Union Railway Minister, passed away early Monday at a private hospital in Kolkata. He was 71.
His son, Suvrangshu Roy, confirmed that Roy suffered a cardiac arrest around 1:30 am. He had been undergoing treatment for serious health complications and was hospitalised since June 2024.
Key Architect of TMC’s Rise
A founding member of the TMC, Roy was widely regarded as the party’s second-most influential figure after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. A trusted aide since the party’s inception, he played a crucial organisational role in expanding its footprint across West Bengal and at the national level.
Over a political career spanning decades, he held several significant portfolios, including serving as India’s Railway Minister in the Union government.
Political Shift and Legal Battle
In a dramatic turn, Roy briefly joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, during which the party made substantial electoral gains in West Bengal. Senior BJP leader Amit Shah publicly acknowledged Roy’s strategic role in strengthening the party’s base in the state.
He later won the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election from Krishnanagar North as a BJP candidate but returned to the TMC soon after the polls. His re-entry into the ruling party triggered a legal dispute under anti-defection provisions, with the matter reaching both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court of India. While the High Court initially ruled against him, the Supreme Court granted interim relief, allowing him to retain his legislative position.
Health Struggles and Legacy
Persistent medical issues in recent years kept Roy largely away from public life. His passing has prompted condolences from leaders across party lines, marking the end of a significant chapter in West Bengal’s political history.
Widely viewed as a skilled strategist and organisational architect, Roy leaves behind a complex legacy shaped by loyalty, defection, and political resilience.
