Will be remembered for his political experience, efforts to serve society: PM Modi condoles Mukul Roy’s demise

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Kolkata, Feb 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday issued a statement mourning the death of Mukul Roy, a senior politician from West Bengal, who had served with both the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The Prime Minister, while sharing a condolence message this morning on his official X handle, also shared an old picture of himself with Roy, during the latter’s stint with the BJP from 2017 to 2021.

“Pained by the passing of former Union Minister Shri Mukul Roy Ji. He will be remembered for his political experience and efforts to serve society. Condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti,” the Prime Minister said in his social media message.

Trinamool Congress’ general secretary and Lok Sabha member, Abhishek Banerjee, issued a condolence message acknowledging Roy’s contribution as a founding pillar of Trinamool Congress.

“The demise of Mukul Roy marks the end of an era in Bengal’s political history. A veteran leader with vast experience. His contributions helped shape an important phase of the state’s public and political journey. As a founding pillar of the All India Trinamool Congress, he was instrumental in expanding and consolidating the organisation during its formative years. His dedication to public life will be recalled with admiration. I extend my sincere sympathies to his family, friends, and admirers. May his soul be granted eternal peace,” Abhishek Banerjee said.

Similarly, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who was also, like Roy, once an important leader in Trinamool Congress, first as a Lok Sabha member and then as a party legislator and a heavyweight member of the West Bengal cabinet, also issued a statement mourning the death of Roy.

“Deeply disheartened to learn about the sad demise of Senior Politician, Shri Mukul Roy. My sincere condolences to his family. Praying that his soul attains eternal peace. Om Shanti,” Adhikari said in his social media message.

Youth CPI(M) leader and the party’s state committee member in West Bengal, Satarup Ghosh, has also issued a condolence message, reminding that Roy had the honesty to acknowledge once that in West Bengal, Trinamool Congress and BJP were two sides of the same coin.

Senior politician Mukul Roy, a former Union Railway Minister, died early Monday morning at a private hospital in Kolkata. He was 73.

Roy breathed his last a little after 1.30 a.m. on Monday, confirmed his son, Subhranshu Roy. He was under treatment for quite some time because of several medical complications, and he was not even responding to the treatment, according to his close associates.

Roy was once the second-in-command in Trinamool Congress as the party’s general secretary and the closest confidant of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He was among the first nine leaders who approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) to form a new political party — Trinamool Congress — in the late nineties, which Mamata Banerjee founded after she parted ways with Congress.

–IANS

src/dpb

Related Posts

‘We stand with you’: Ahmedabad Civil Hospital Superintendent offers support to victims’ families

Ahmedabad, June 16 (IANS) Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, Dr. Rakesh Joshi, has extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Air India plane crash. Speaking at a media briefing, Dr. Joshi conveyed a message of solidarity on behalf of the entire health department, assuring that every effort is being made to support grieving families and expedite the identification process.

“The entire medical and administrative team stands with the bereaved families in this hour of unimaginable grief,” said Dr. Joshi.

“We are committed to handing over the mortal remains of their loved ones as swiftly and respectfully as possible.”

He said that the hospital has set up multiple dedicated helplines—ten numbers in total—to maintain continuous communication with the victims’ relatives.

These helplines are being used to share updates and guide families through the process.

Addressing the ongoing DNA identification process, Dr. Joshi stressed its sensitivity and legal importance.

“Matching DNA samples is a delicate and technically rigorous process, but we are conducting it with utmost seriousness and speed. As matches are confirmed, the rate of handover will accelerate.”

Dr. Joshi also detailed the arrangements put in place to streamline the official formalities required during the handover.

“We have ensured that necessary certificates and documentation are provided promptly once identification is complete, so families face minimal delays or distress.” He urged families to remain patient and assured them that the entire health department is working tirelessly to support them during this difficult time.

On June 12, 2025, a London-bound Air India flight AI-171 tragically crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, carrying 241 passengers and crew, went down in the densely populated Meghaninagar area, causing widespread devastation on the ground, including damage to a nearby hostel and mess.

The crash claimed 270 lives in total — both on board and on the ground — marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in India’s recent history.

Investigations are underway, with both Indian and international agencies involved, and black boxes have been recovered to determine the cause.

–IANS

janvi/pgh

Cong MLA Rahul Mamkootathil moves Kerala HC for anticipatory bail

Kochi, Dec 5 (IANS) Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who is on the run, on Friday approached the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail in the rape case registered against him.

The High Court petition of Mamkootathil is expected to come up for admission later in the day or on Saturday.

The move comes a day after the Thiruvananthapuram Principal Sessions Court rejected his bail plea, observing that custodial interrogation was necessary for the investigation.

Despite mounting pressure from the police and his own party, which has dismissed him, Mamkootathil has shown no indication of surrendering.

The Kerala Police have widened surveillance networks, examined tower locations, and questioned individuals believed to be aiding him.

The Congress leadership, which had been facing criticism for not acting swiftly, expelled Mamkootathil from the party’s primary membership soon after the Sessions Court delivered its order.

Party sources said the leadership had “no option left” after the court’s observations and the growing public outrage.

According to the police, Mamkootathil has not cooperated at any stage of the investigation. Efforts to contact him or persuade him to appear before investigators have been unsuccessful.

Officers said the MLA’s prolonged absence may trigger additional legal consequences, including charges for obstruction of justice.

The case has triggered a political slugfest, with the ruling LDF accusing the Congress of failing to rein in its leaders, while the Opposition accuses the government of leaking selective information to influence public opinion.

With the High Court now set to examine the anticipatory bail plea, the political tremors are expected to intensify.

For the police, the immediate priority remains locating the MLA before the court takes up the matter. And, for the Congress party, the challenge is containing the fallout ahead of a crucial election season.

Mamkootathil has been accused of rape and sexual misconduct by multiple women. He is currently a Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Palakkad constituency.

–IANS

sg/dpb

Fresh snowfall lashes Kashmir Valley, more likely between January 4-6

Srinagar, Jan 2 (IANS) Fresh snowfall occurred in the Kashmir Valley on Thursday as the cold wave continued unabated across J&K.

The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain/snow because of two back-to-back Western Disturbances (WDs) passing over J&K.

A MET department statement said, “Because of a feeble WD, generally cloudy weather with light snowfall at scattered places is likely to occur on January 2. On January 3, generally cloudy weather with light snow is expected at isolated higher reaches of J&K.”

“On January 4-6th, due to moderate to strong WD, generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain in plains of Jammu and snow at most places of J&K with peak activity during January 4th night to 5th late night with improvement from 6th late afternoon,” it said.

The weather department has forecast generally dry cloudy weather from January 7-10.

In view of fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperatures and icy conditions over roads (plains/higher reaches), tourists/travellers/transporters are advised to plan accordingly and follow Admin/Traffic advisory, it said.

It has predicted heavy snow at isolated higher reaches during January 4 to 6.

Srinagar recorded minus 2.6 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg minus 8.6 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam minus 4 degrees Celsius as the minimum temperatures on Thursday.

Jammu city registered 7.4 degrees Celsius, Katra town 9 degrees Celsius, Batote 4.6 degrees Celsius, Banihal 2.9 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 1.6 degrees Celsius as the night’s lowest temperature.

The 40-day-long period of intense winter cold called the ‘Chillai Kalan’ started on December 21 and will end on January 30.

Most lakes and other water bodies are presently frozen partially in the Valley.

Doctors have advised people not to expose themselves to long periods of cold. Children and elderly people have been especially warned to guard themselves against cold which constricts blood vessels resulting in myocardial infarction.

“This is responsible for heart attacks and heart failures globally in countries with cold weather. The risk becomes very high if a patient has respiratory ailments,” they said.

–IANS

sq/svn