Mukul Roy, Former Railway Minister and TMC Leader, Dies at 71
Former railway minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mukul Roy died at the age of 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest. He passed away at Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake, Kolkata, confirmed his son, Subhranshu Roy. Roy had been battling health issues for the past few years, which kept him away from active politics.
Political Career and Contributions
Mukul Roy served as Minister of State in the Shipping Ministry and later in the Railways Ministry during the second UPA government under Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. He played a key role in shaping West Bengal’s political landscape and gained recognition for his administrative skills.
Roy joined the BJP and won as an MLA in May 2021. In August 2021, he switched to the TMC, in the presence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Earlier, he had also been a member of the Congress Party, demonstrating a long and versatile political journey.
Reactions from Leaders
BJP leader Dilip Ghosh paid tribute, calling Roy an experienced politician. “He became a Union Minister and earned respect when he joined BJP. During the last 2-3 years, his health kept him away from politics. I pray his soul rests in peace,” Ghosh said.
Roy’s passing marks the end of a significant chapter in West Bengal politics. Many remember him for his strategic contributions across multiple parties and his influence on state and national politics.
Legal Battles and Later Years
In recent years, Roy fought a legal battle over his disqualification from the West Bengal Legislative Assembly after joining TMC. The Supreme Court stayed the Calcutta High Court’s disqualification order in January. Despite the legal challenges, Roy remained a prominent figure until his death.Assembly following his defection to TMC. The Supreme Court in January stayed the Calcutta High Court’s order that had disqualified him. Despite these challenges, Roy remained a prominent political figure until his death, leaving behind a legacy of political experience and strategic influence.
