Veteran Bengal leader Mukul Roy dies at 71
Roy began his political journey with the Indian National Congress before becoming a founding member of the TMC in 1998
Mukul Roy, a prominent Indian politician from West Bengal known for his dynamic political career and shifting allegiances, passed away at the age of 71 after a prolonged illness.
Born on April 17, 1954, Roy began his political journey with the Indian National Congress before becoming a founding member of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 1998, following the party’s split from the Congress under Mamata Banerjee’s leadership. Over the years, he played a key role in the party’s growth, serving as its general secretary in 2006 and representing TMC in New Delhi.
Roy’s death was met with condolences from leaders across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, all remembering him as an experienced politician who left a lasting mark on Bengal’s political landscape.
Roy held several significant positions during his career, including Minister of State in the Ministry of Shipping and later in the Ministry of Railways during the second UPA government. He gained national prominence when he served as Railway Minister after Mamata resigned from the post in 2012 to focus on her responsibilities as West Bengal Chief Minister. His tenure, however, was not without controversy, including a notable disagreement with then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during a 2011 railway derailment incident, which led to his removal from the Railway Ministry.
In 2017, following allegations linked to the Saradha scam and the Narada sting operation, Roy resigned from the TMC and joined the BJP, expressing admiration for PM Modi. His time with BJP was brief, and in a high-profile event on June 11, 2021, he returned to the TMC alongside his son Subhranshu Roy, drawing attention and speculation across political circles.
Despite his influence, Roy’s career faced setbacks. In November 2025, the Calcutta High Court disqualified him from his MLA position, citing allegations of political opportunism. Nonetheless, he remained a significant figure in West Bengal politics, particularly in his constituency of Krishnanagar, where he had long-standing support.
Throughout his life, Roy was both celebrated and critiqued for his strategic shifts in allegiance, leaving behind a legacy of political acumen and controversy in equal measure.
