Former Railway Minister and TMC co-founder Mukul Roy dies at 71 due to cardiac arrest. Explore his rise in West Bengal politics, key ministerial roles, party switches between TMC and BJP, major controversies, health battles, and the legacy he leaves behind.
New Delhi: West Bengal politics lost one of its biggest and most influential leaders today. Mukul Roy, former Union Railway Minister and a founding leader of All India Trinamool Congress, passed away at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest. He was known as the mastermind behind TMC’s rise in West Bengal and was both admired and criticized throughout his long political career. His life was full of ambition, power struggles, party changes, controversies, and serious health battles. From a simple beginning to national politics, his journey deserves both respect and close examination.
From Kanchrapara to the Centre of Power
- Mukul Roy was born on April 17, 1954, in Kanchrapara, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
- He completed his BSc from the University of Calcutta.
- In 2006, he earned an MA in Public Administration from Madurai Kamaraj University.
- His father, Hari Dev Kaushal, was a retired Delhi Police officer who passed away in 2019.
- His mother, Anup Kaushal, was a teacher.
- His brother, Rahul Dev, is a film actor, and his sister is Rashmi Kaushal.
- He was first married to Shilpa Dev; they separated in 2005 and had a daughter named Sia Dev.
- He later married Krishna Roy.
- His son, Subhranshu Roy, supported him during his political ups and downs and confirmed his death.
- According to his election affidavit, his declared net worth was ₹50.85 lakhs, showing he was not among India’s richest politicians.
- He started his political career as a Youth Congress leader.
- Later, he became a close and trusted associate of Mamata Banerjee.
- In 1998, he helped form the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).
- He served as the party’s National General Secretary until 2015.
- He played a major role in building and strengthening the party.
- In 2011, he helped TMC defeat the Left Front, ending 34 years of Left rule in West Bengal.
- The Singur and Nandigram movements were important turning points in that victory.
- He became the second most powerful leader in TMC after Mamata Banerjee, until differences started to appear between them.
Ministerial Success and National Role
Mukul Roy’s rise in national politics was fast. He was elected twice to the Rajya Sabha from West Bengal between 2006 and 2017. During the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh, Roy served as Minister of State for Shipping from 2009 to 2011 and later handled the Railways Ministry in 2011. In March 2012, he became India’s 32nd Railway Minister and served until September 2012.
As Railway Minister, he introduced initiatives like the “DU Gyan Uday Express” for educational tours of students. He also rolled back railway fare hikes after facing strong public opposition. However, his tenure was not without conflict. In 2011, he reportedly ignored a directive from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to visit Assam after a train accident, which led to him losing the Railways portfolio. Even so, his political strategy and influence remained strong.
Party Changes, Allegations, and Political Risks
Mukul Roy’s career was marked by dramatic party switches and controversies. In 2015, he was removed from his key post in TMC amid allegations related to the Saradha chit fund scam and the Narada sting operation. In 2017, he was suspended from TMC after showing closeness to BJP leaders.
On November 3, 2017, he officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and later became its National Vice-President between 2020 and 2021. However, in another surprising move, he returned to TMC on June 11, 2021, along with his son Subhranshu.
He was elected as MLA from Krishnanagar Uttar for the 2021–2026 term and became Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from 2021 to 2022. In 2025, the Calcutta High Court disqualified him under anti-defection rules. However, in 2022, the Speaker had ruled that he was still considered affiliated with BJP, which allowed him to avoid immediate action under anti-defection laws. His political shifts were seen by many as calculated strategies in West Bengal’s intense political environment.
Condolences from Top Political Leaders: A Wave of Grief After Mukul Roy’s Death
After the sudden cardiac arrest of Mukul Roy, many of India’s top political leaders expressed deep sadness and paid tribute to his life and work. Leaders from different parties spoke about his strong impact on West Bengal politics, where he played major roles in both the All India Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “pained” by Roy’s death. He praised Roy’s political experience and his efforts to serve society. The Prime Minister also expressed his heartfelt condolences to Roy’s family and ended his message with “Om Shanti.”
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari also shared his grief. He said he was “deeply disheartened” by the death of the senior politician and prayed for peace for Roy’s soul. He also expressed sympathy for the family during this difficult time.
Even though Mukul Roy changed parties during his career, leaders across political lines came together to respect his contribution. Their messages showed that, beyond political differences, there was strong respect for a leader who played a powerful role in shaping West Bengal’s political scene.
Health Struggles and Final Days
In his later years, Mukul Roy faced serious health problems. In 2023, he was diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease. That year, he underwent brain surgery for hydrocephalus. In 2024, after falling at home and suffering a blood clot in his brain, he required another surgery. He was also dealing with diabetes and other age-related health issues.
Since 2022, he had mostly stayed away from active politics due to his declining health. A few days before his death, he slipped into a coma. He passed away at 1:30 a.m. on February 23, 2026, at Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake, Kolkata, due to cardiac arrest. His death came after years of fighting serious illnesses.
Tributes and Reflection
Leaders across parties paid tribute. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by Roy’s passing and praised his political experience and service to society. BJP leader Dilip Ghosh acknowledged his contributions both in Bengal politics and within BJP. Leaders like Shovondeb Chattopadhyay and Sujan Chakraborty also expressed deep sorrow. People in his neighborhood called it a huge loss for both his family and the state.
Though he faced criticism and legal scrutiny, Mukul Roy’s role as a political strategist, organizer, and survivor cannot be denied. He played a major part in changing West Bengal’s political landscape. His life showed that in politics, bold moves leave lasting marks.
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Mansi Sharma is a journalist covering Global Affairs, and wellness, known for turning complex ideas into sharp, engaging narratives. Her work is driven by curiosity, depth, and a constant urge to question and explore. When she’s not writing, you’ll often find her diving into new ideas—preferably with a cup of coffee in hand, one sip at a time.