Former Union Minister Mukul Roy Passes Away At 71; Bengal Leaders Pay Tribute

KOLKATA — Mukul Roy’s son, Subhranshu Roy, confirmed that the veteran leader breathed his last following a two-year hospitalization. Roy had been in a coma for a significant period and had undergone three surgeries for neurological and other health complications.

A Political Journey of Shifts and Strategies

Mukul Roy’s career was defined by his ability to build organizations from the ground up:

• The TMC Co-Founder: Roy was a pivotal force alongside Mamata Banerjee when they broke away from the Congress to form the Trinamool Congress in 1998.
• Cabinet Tenure: He served as the Union Minister of Railways and Minister of State for Shipping during the UPA-II government under Dr. Manmohan Singh.
• The BJP Stint: In 2017, following a fallout with the TMC leadership, Roy joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), helping the party secure significant gains in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
• The Return Home: After winning the Krishnanagar North seat as a BJP candidate in 2021, Roy famously returned to the TMC fold in August 2021, though he remained an MLA on paper for the BJP until his death.

Legal Battles and the Disqualification Row

Roy’s death comes amidst an unresolved legal tussle regarding his MLA status.

• The Conflict: Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had moved for Roy’s disqualification under the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule) after he switched back to the TMC.
• Apex Court Ruling: In January 2026, the Supreme Court provided Roy interim relief by staying a Calcutta High Court order that had disqualified him. His legal team argued that social media evidence of his defection lacked proper authentication under the Evidence Act.

Tributes Pour In

Despite the political rivalries, leaders across the spectrum expressed their grief:

• Suvendu Adhikari (BJP): “Deeply disheartened to learn about the sad demise of Senior Politician Shri Mukul Roy. My sincere condolences to his family.”
• Dilip Ghosh (BJP): “He was an experienced politician. When he came to the BJP, he was given a lot of respect… I pray that his soul rests in peace.”

Mukul Roy: Key Career Milestones