Mukul Roy, Veteran TMC Leader & Former Railway Minister, Dies of Cardiac Arrest

Kolkata — Senior Indian politician and former Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy passed away early Monday after suffering a cardiac arrest, marking the end of a long and eventful political journey that influenced West Bengal and national politics. He was 71.

Roy breathed his last around 1:30 a.m. at Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake, Kolkata, where he had been receiving treatment for multiple health issues, including age-related ailments and a prolonged illness, his son Subhranshu Roy confirmed. Born on 17 April 1954 in Kanchrapara, West Bengal, Roy began his political career with the Indian National Congress before joining forces with Mamata Banerjee to help found the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 1998. He quickly rose through the ranks to become one of the party’s top strategists and served as National General Secretary for many years.

During the second United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, Mukul Roy served as Union Minister of State and later took charge as Railway Minister, leading one of India’s largest and most complex ministries.

Across parties and roles, Mukul Roy earned a reputation as a seasoned political strategist, and his passing leaves a clear void in both regional and national politics.