Veteran politician and former Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy, once hailed as ‘Once hailed as the 'Chanakya of Bengal politics’, passed away at a private hospital in Salt Lake, Kolkata, around 1:30 am on Monday, February 23. He was 71. His son, Shuvrangshu Roy, confirmed the news to The Indian Express.
Reacting to his demise, Abhishek Banerjee, All India General Secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress, wrote on X that Roy’s death “marks the end of an era in Bengal’s political history.” Calling him a veteran leader with vast experience, Banerjee said, “The demise of Mukul Roy marks the end of an era in Bengal’s political history. A veteran leader with vast experience. His contributions helped shape an important phase of the state’s public and political journey.”
“As a founding pillar of the All India Trinamool Congress, he was instrumental in expanding and consolidating the organisation during its formative years. His dedication to public life will be recalled with admiration. I extend my sincere sympathies to his family, friends and admirers. May his soul be granted eternal peace.”
The demise of Mukul Roy marks the end of an era in Bengal’s political history. A veteran leader with vast experience. His contributions helped shape an important phase of the state’s public and political journey.
— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) February 23, 2026
As a founding pillar of the All India Trinamool Congress, he was…
Role in UPA government
Roy served as the 32nd Union Minister of Railways from March 20, 2012, to September 21, 2012, during the UPA-II government. He took over the position after Dinesh Trivedi, during a raging controversy over railway fare hikes. Although his tenure as a minister was short, he continued to remain a major force in both national and state politics.
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Declining health in recent years
Recently, he has been grappling with severe neurological and systemic ailments. In early 2023, he was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease, which affected his cognitive faculties and physical health. In March 2023, he underwent brain surgery to treat hydrocephalus, which resulted from fluid accumulation in the brain.
In July 2024, he was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition after a fall at his residence that resulted in a head injury and surgery to remove a blood clot. He also suffered from chronic diabetes, lung problems, and blood sugar fluctuations.
From TMC strategist to BJP leader and back
Initially, he was recognised as one of the major architects of the Trinamool Congress. He played a crucial role in the party’s victory in the 2011 West Bengal Assembly Elections. However, he was later expelled from the party in 2017 due to the Narada sting operation scandal and later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in November of the same year. He became the National Vice President in 2020.
Later, he contested the 2021 Assembly Elections as a BJP candidate but rejoined the Trinamool Congress party after the election results. After the 2021 elections, he reduced his political activities due to his deteriorating health.
