KOLKATA: In a shocking loss to West Bengal’s political landscape, Mukul Roy, one of the founding members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and former Union Minister, passed away early Monday morning at a private hospital here. He was 73 years old. His family confirmed the news, marking the end of an era for a man who shaped the state’s politics through turbulent times.
Roy breathed his last around 1:30 AM after battling multiple health issues for an extended period. His son, Subhranshu Roy, verified the details. Close associates revealed that despite ongoing treatment, his condition had deteriorated steadily, leaving little hope for recovery.
Once considered the second-most powerful figure in TMC after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Roy was her unwavering confidant and served as the party’s general secretary. He was among the nine leaders who approached the Election Commission in the late 1990s to register TMC when Banerjee broke away from Congress. His early support from state Congress leaders helped lay the foundation of what became a dominant force in Bengal politics.
Roy’s national stature grew when TMC joined the UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He held key portfolios including Minister of State for Shipping, Urban Development, and later Railway Minister, showcasing his administrative prowess during a pivotal phase for the party.
However, cracks appeared in his relationship with TMC leadership over time. Demoted from general secretary and sidelined from key events, Roy made a dramatic exit in 2017, resigning from Rajya Sabha and joining the BJP. He remained with the saffron party until the 2021 assembly elections, where he won from Krishnanagar Uttar as a BJP candidate.
In a stunning twist, days after TMC’s landslide victory, Roy returned to his old fold, bolstering Mamata’s third term. Yet, he retained his BJP MLA status officially. The Assembly Speaker rejected BJP’s plea to disqualify him, appointing him PAC Chairman—a role typically for the opposition leader. BJP escalated the matter to Calcutta High Court, which on November 12, 2024, annulled his membership. Subhranshu challenged this in the Supreme Court, securing a stay on January 16, 2025.
Roy’s political odyssey—from TMC founder to BJP defector and back—mirrors Bengal’s volatile politics. Tributes are pouring in, with leaders across parties acknowledging his strategic mind and resilience. His death leaves a void in an already polarized arena.