Who Was Mukul Roy? ‘Chanakya of Bengal Politics’ Dies at 73 After Cardiac Arrest

Senior West Bengal politician and former Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy passed away at the age of 73 in Kolkata. He died due to a massive cardiac arrest at Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake around 1:30 am. His death was confirmed by his son, Subhranshu Roy. Mukul Roy had been battling chronic health issues, including dementia and Parkinson’s disease, and had largely withdrawn from active politics in recent years.

Who Was Mukul Roy? The ‘Chanakya of Bengal Politics’

Born on 17 April 1954, Mukul Roy was one of the founding members of the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). He was widely known as the “Chanakya of Bengal politics” for his sharp political strategies.

Key Highlights,

• Close confidant of Mamata Banerjee
• Considered second-in-command during early TMC years
• Elected twice to the Rajya Sabha
• MLA from Krishnanagar Uttar

Mukul Roy played a decisive role in shaping West Bengal’s political landscape.

Mukul Roy Political Career: From TMC Architect to Railway Minister

Mukul Roy’s political career spanned decades and multiple turning points.

Major Milestones,

• Instrumental in 2011 West Bengal Assembly election victory, ending 34 years of Left Front rule
• Minister of State for Shipping (2009–2011)
• 32nd Union Railway Minister (March–September 2012) under PM Manmohan Singh

He succeeded Dinesh Trivedi amid a controversy over railway fare hikes. His tenure as Railway Minister, though brief, was politically significant.

Mukul Roy’s Political Shifts and Controversies

Mukul Roy’s political journey saw dramatic shifts.

Timeline,

• Stripped of TMC national general secretary post (2015)
• Joined Bharatiya Janata Party (2017)
• Became BJP National Vice President (2020)
• Rejoined TMC on June 11, 2021

He was embroiled in the Narada sting controversy. In January 2026, the Supreme Court of India stayed a Calcutta High Court order disqualifying him as MLA.

Mukul Roy Cause of Death and Health Struggles

Mukul Roy died due to a massive heart attack on February 23, 2026.

Health Issues in Recent Years,

• Diagnosed with dementia and Parkinson’s disease (2023)
• Brain surgery for hydrocephalus (2023)
• Head injury and blood clot surgery (July 2024)
• Suffered from diabetes and age-related ailments

His declining health kept him away from active politics since 2022.

Mukul Roy Net Worth and Family Details

According to his recent election affidavit, Mukul Roy’s net worth stood at ₹50.85 lakhs.

Family Background.

• Father: Hari Dev Kaushal (Retired ACP, Delhi)
• Mother: Anup Kaushal (Teacher)
• Brother: Rahul Dev (Actor)
• Former spouse: Shilpa Dev
• Daughter: Sia Dev

Question

Q. Mukul Roy served as Union Railway Minister in which year?

A) 2008
B) 2010
C) 2012
D) 2014