KOLKATA: The sudden demise of former Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy has cast a pall of sorrow over West Bengal’s political circles. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh expressed profound grief, remembering Roy as a towering figure in the state’s politics.
Speaking to the media in Kolkata, Ghosh highlighted Roy’s significant contributions. ‘Mukul Roy was a senior leader from Bengal, a national figure in TMC, and a former central minister,’ he said. Ghosh noted Roy’s pivotal role in Bengal’s political landscape and how his experience benefited the BJP during his tenure there.
Roy, who passed away late Sunday night at Apollo Multispeciality Hospital due to cardiac arrest, had been battling multiple health issues for years. His condition deteriorated recently, leading to his hospitalization. Family members confirmed the tragic news.
Once considered Mamata Banerjee’s closest confidant and TMC’s number two leader, Roy was among the founding members who approached the Election Commission in the late 1990s to register the Trinamool Congress. He served as the party’s general secretary and played a key role in rallying state Congress leaders to join the new outfit after Banerjee’s split from the Congress.
In a dramatic turn in 2017, Roy quit TMC, resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat, and joined the BJP, staying with them until 2021. Health woes had kept him away from active politics in recent times, but his sharp political acumen earned him respect across party lines.
Ghosh lamented that Roy left too soon, saying, ‘He had to leave the party under compulsion and was ill for some time. I feel he had more to contribute.’ He prayed for Roy’s soul to rest in peace.
Roy’s death marks the end of an era in Bengal politics, where his strategic mind influenced major shifts. Tributes continue to pour in from leaders across the spectrum, underscoring his lasting legacy.