Mukul Roy: The Complex Career and Legacy of Bengal's Electoral Strategist

West Bengal Politician Mukul Roy Passes Away at 71

Mukul Roy, a veteran West Bengal politician and former Union minister of state for railways, has passed away at the age of 71 in a private hospital in Kolkata after a prolonged illness. Roy breathed his last at 1:30 am on Monday.

Career Overview

Roy had a long and storied career in West Bengal politics, spanning multiple parties and roles. Born in Kanchrapara, a small suburban town in North 24 Parganas district, Roy began his journey as a CPI(M) worker before joining the Congress party. He served as Minister of State for Shipping and later as Railways Minister in the UPA II government, but reportedly never felt at home in the Congress.

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In 2011, Roy joined the Trinamool Congress, a party founded by Mamata Banerjee, and became one of its founding members. He was known as the "Chanakya of Bengal politics" and played a crucial role in building the party's organisational network across West Bengal and managing political equations in New Delhi.

Party Affiliations

Roy's party affiliations were marked by a series of switches. He joined the BJP in November 2017 and was credited with helping the party expand its base in the state, particularly during the 2019 Lok Sabha election. However, he developed a distance with the BJP and returned to the Trinamool Congress in June 2021.

Disqualification

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On November 13, 2025, the Calcutta High Court disqualified Roy as an MLA under the anti-defection law for switching to the Trinamool after having been elected on a BJP ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections.

Health Issues

Roy reportedly suffered from dementia and various other ailments, which led to his prolonged illness. His son, Subhrangshu Roy, expressed that his father was suffering from multiple ailments when he passed away.