Senior politician and former Union railway minister Mukul Roy, once considered West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s closest aide and a key strategist of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), passed away early Monday following a cardiac arrest. Roy breathed his last around 1.30 am at a private hospital in Salt Lake, his son Subhranshu Roy confirmed. Master strategist of Bengal politicsOften described as the “Chanakya” of West Bengal politics, Roy was widely known for his backroom organisational skills. Political shifts and returnRelations between Roy and the TMC leadership deteriorated in 2017, prompting him to join the Bharatiya Janata Party. Although he rejoined the TMC, Roy never regained the political prominence he once held and gradually withdrew from active politics as his health declined.

Source: Indian Express February 23, 2026 04:34 UTC