Mukul Roy, ‘Chanakya of Bengal Politics’ and TMC Co-Founder, Dies at 71

Mukul Roy, a veteran West Bengal politician and co-founder of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), died at the age of 71 following a cardiac arrest in Kolkata. His son confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday at a private hospital in Salt Lake, where he had been undergoing treatment.

Roy had been battling multiple health issues and dementia in recent years. His condition had deteriorated significantly, and he had reportedly been in a coma days before his death. Family members said his last rites will be performed after his body is brought to his residence.

A Key Architect of Bengal’s Political Landscape

Often referred to as the “Chanakya of Bengal politics” for his strategic acumen, Mukul Roy played a crucial role in shaping modern West Bengal politics. He co-founded the Trinamool Congress in 1998 alongside Mamata Banerjee and rose to become the party’s national general secretary.

Roy was instrumental in building the party’s organisational network and played a significant role in its rise to power in 2011, when the TMC ended the Left Front’s decades-long rule in the state.

Role in National Politics and Ministerial Positions

Following the TMC’s rise, Roy served as Minister of State for Shipping in the UPA II government. He later held the position of Railway Minister in 2012, marking his presence in national governance.

His administrative experience and organisational strength made him one of the most influential figures within the party during its formative years.

Controversies and Exit from TMC

Roy’s political journey faced setbacks after his name surfaced in the Saradha chit fund case and the Narada sting controversy. Amid growing tensions, he was removed from the post of party general secretary in 2015.

In 2017, he left the TMC and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move that surprised political observers.

Role in BJP’s Rise in West Bengal

Roy played a key role in strengthening the BJP’s grassroots presence in West Bengal. His organisational strategies contributed to the party’s strong performance in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, where it won 18 of the state’s 42 seats.

He later contested and won the 2021 Assembly elections from Krishnanagar on a BJP ticket.

Return to TMC and Declining Health

Roy returned to the Trinamool Congress in June 2021. However, his second innings in the party remained limited due to deteriorating health.

His battle with dementia became publicly known in later years. In 2025, the Calcutta High Court disqualified him as an MLA under anti-defection provisions following his return to the TMC.

Tributes Pour In

Political leaders across parties expressed condolences, remembering Roy as a veteran strategist whose contributions shaped a critical phase in Bengal’s political evolution.

His career reflected both influence and controversy, but his role in transforming the political landscape of West Bengal remains significant.