Political leaders across party lines mourn the death of Mukul Roy, remembering his decades-long influence in Bengal politics
New Delhi: Veteran West Bengal leader Mukul Roy, widely known as the “Chanakya of Bengal politics” for his sharp political strategies, passed away on February 23, 2026, at the age of 71. He died at a private hospital in Kolkata after suffering a cardiac arrest. Roy had been battling serious health problems for the past few years, including dementia and Parkinson’s disease, and had undergone multiple surgeries. Because of his declining health, he had stayed away from active politics in recent years. His death triggered condolences from leaders across political parties, who remembered his long and influential career.
Tributes Pour In
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief. In his message, the Prime Minister said he was pained by the passing of former Union Minister Mukul Roy and noted that Roy would be remembered for his political experience and efforts to serve society. He conveyed condolences to Roy’s family and supporters and prayed for peace to the departed soul.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep shock and grief over his passing. In her message on X, she described Mukul Roy as her long-time political colleague and a comrade-in-arms in many struggles. She said he devoted his life to the Trinamool Congress from its inception and served as a Union Minister with dedication. She highlighted his organisational skills and said his contribution to Bengal’s politics would always be remembered. Extending condolences to his family and admirers, she said political circles would feel his absence regardless of party lines.
Abhishek Banerjee, National General Secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress and Member of Parliament, said Roy’s death marked the end of an era in Bengal’s political history. He described Roy as a veteran leader whose contributions shaped an important phase of the state’s public and political journey. He recalled Roy as a founding pillar of the TMC who played a key role in expanding and strengthening the party during its early years. He extended his sympathies to Roy’s family, friends and admirers and prayed for his eternal peace.
Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and senior BJP leader, said he was deeply saddened to learn about the demise of senior politician Mukul Roy. He extended sincere condolences to Roy’s family and prayed that his soul attain eternal peace.
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Early Political Journey
Mukul Roy was born on April 17, 1954, in Kanchrapara in the North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. He began his political career in the 1980s with the Indian National Congress and worked actively in the Youth Congress, building strong grassroots connections. During his time in Congress, he developed a close political relationship with Mamata Banerjee.
In 1998, when Mamata Banerjee left the Congress to form the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), Roy joined her and became one of the founding members of the new party.
Rise In TMC
After helping establish the TMC, Roy quickly emerged as one of its most influential leaders. He was the party’s national general secretary, in charge of organizational responsibilities across districts and states. He built booth-level networks, oversaw candidate selection and handled internal party strategies. Because of his sharp planning and political calculations, he earned the nickname “Chanakya of Bengal politics.” He preferred working behind the scenes rather than delivering high-profile speeches.
In 2006, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha and entered national politics. He became the TMC’s leader in the Upper House and represented the party in New Delhi. During the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, he served as Minister of State for Shipping. In March 2012, he became the Union Railway Minister after Dinesh Trivedi resigned, a position that brought him national recognition.
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Major Controversies
Roy’s political career faced setbacks when his name surfaced in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam and the Narada sting operation. The Saradha scam involved financial fraud that affected thousands of small investors in West Bengal. The Narada case stemmed from a sting operation that allegedly showed politicians accepting money. Roy denied all allegations. However, the controversies affected his public image and strained his relationship with the TMC leadership.
In 2015, the party removed him from the post of national general secretary. As differences widened, he left the TMC in 2017.
Joining The BJP
In November 2017, Mukul Roy joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), at a time when the party was trying to strengthen its presence in West Bengal. His entry gave the BJP an experienced strategist who understood Bengal politics well. The party appointed him as a national vice-president and tasked him with expanding its organisation in the state.
He played a major role in bringing leaders from other parties into the BJP and strengthening its grassroots structure. His strategies significantly contributed to the BJP’s performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when the party won 18 out of 42 seats in West Bengal, marking a major political shift in the state.
In the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, Roy contested from Krishnanagar Uttar as a BJP candidate and won. However, internal issues later reduced his influence within the party.
Return To TMC
In June 2021, just months after winning as a BJP MLA, Roy returned to the Trinamool Congress. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed him back into the party. His return led to legal complications under the anti-defection law because he had been elected as a BJP candidate.
In November 2025, the Calcutta High Court disqualified him as an MLA for violating anti-defection rules. In January 2026, the Supreme Court stayed the High Court’s order and granted him temporary relief. The matter was still pending at the time of his death.
Health And Final Days
In his final years, Roy’s health deteriorated significantly. He suffered from dementia and Parkinson’s disease and underwent several surgeries. He remained hospitalised for long periods and stayed away from active politics. A few days before his death, he slipped into a coma. On February 23, 2026, he suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away in Kolkata.
Political Legacy
Mukul Roy played a key role in shaping West Bengal politics for nearly three decades. As a founding member of the TMC, he helped build the party’s organisation and contributed to ending the 34-year rule of the Left Front in the state. Later, he helped the BJP expand its presence in West Bengal and played a significant role in its strong performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
His political journey, marked by strategic brilliance as well as controversies and party shifts, drew both praise and criticism. Some viewed him as a master strategist, while others debated his changing political loyalties. Despite mixed opinions, his impact on Bengal politics remains significant. With his passing, West Bengal has lost one of its most influential and widely discussed political leaders.
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