Mukul Roy, Veteran Bengal Politician and Former Union Minister, Passes Away at 71
Mukul Roy, a prominent political figure in West Bengal known for his strategic acumen and roles in both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), passed away early Monday at the age of 71. He suffered a cardiac arrest at a private hospital off EM Bypass in Kolkata, as confirmed by his son Subhrangshu Roy. Roy had been battling multiple health issues, including dementia, and was in and out of hospital over the past two years, recently slipping into a coma.
Political Journey and Legacy
Born in Kanchrapara in 1954, Mukul Roy began his political career with the Youth Congress in the 1980s. He played a pivotal role in the formation of the Trinamool Congress in 1998, becoming one of its founding members under Mamata Banerjee's leadership. Roy's organizational skills were instrumental in TMC's historic victory in 2011, which ended the Left Front's 34-year rule in West Bengal. He served as a Union minister in the UPA-II government, holding portfolios such as shipping and railways, and was elected to the Rajya Sabha multiple times.
In a significant shift, Roy left the TMC in 2017 and joined the BJP, where he became a key strategist. He contributed to the BJP's record performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, securing 18 out of 42 seats in Bengal. However, he returned to the TMC in 2021 after the assembly polls, describing it as his "first and last home." Despite this, his later years were marked by declining health and reduced political influence.
Reactions from Political Leaders
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, stating, "Pained by the passing of former Union minister Shri Mukul Roy Ji. He will be remembered for his political experience and efforts to serve society. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti."
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a heartfelt message, said, "I am deeply shocked and grieved by the news of the demise of veteran politician Mukul Roy. He was my long-time colleague and a comrade-in-arms in many political struggles. His departure has left me heartbroken." She acknowledged his contributions to Bengal politics and his organizational prowess, despite his brief departure from the party.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee noted that Roy's death marks the end of an era in West Bengal's political history, highlighting his role in shaping the state's public and political landscape. Abhishek paid his last respects during the funeral procession in Kanchrapara.
Controversies and Later Years
Roy's career was not without controversy. He faced scrutiny in the Saradha scam and the Narada sting operation, which impacted his political standing. His defection to the BJP and subsequent return to the TMC underscored the ideological fluidity that characterized his later years. In 2021, he was elected as an MLA from Krishnanagar North on a BJP ticket but soon rejoined the TMC after being overlooked for the opposition leader post in favor of Suvendu Adhikari.
His health deteriorated sharply post-2021, leading to his resignation as chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. The Calcutta High Court disqualified him under the anti-defection law, a decision later stayed by the Supreme Court, adding a layer of irony to his career-long navigation of political defections.
Mukul Roy's legacy is a complex tapestry of strategic brilliance, organizational mastery, and political adaptability, leaving an indelible mark on West Bengal's political narrative.
