Tue Feb 24 02:10:52 UTC 2026: ### Mukul Roy, Architect of TMC’s Rise and BJP’s Foothold in Bengal, Dies at 71

The Story:
Mukul Roy, a pivotal figure in West Bengal politics, passed away in Kolkata at the age of 71. Roy was instrumental in building the Trinamool Congress (TMC) into a dominant force, working closely with Mamata Banerjee. He later defected to the BJP, where he helped the party gain a significant foothold in the state before eventually returning to the TMC. His strategic acumen and deep knowledge of West Bengal’s political landscape were widely recognized, though his later years were marked by declining health.

Key Points:
* Mukul Roy was a founding member of the TMC and a key strategist in its rise to power, ending the Left’s 34-year rule.
* He joined the BJP in November 2017, strengthening the party’s grassroots presence and facilitating defections from the TMC.
* Roy played a crucial role in the BJP’s best-ever performance in Bengal during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, winning 18 of 42 parliamentary seats.
* He returned to the TMC after the 2021 Assembly elections but was later disqualified as an MLA under the anti-defection law.
* Mamata Banerjee expressed deep shock and grief at his demise, acknowledging his significant contributions to Bengal politics.

Key Takeaways:
* Mukul Roy’s career highlights the fluidity and shifting allegiances in West Bengal politics.
* His organizational skills were crucial in both the TMC’s rise and the BJP’s initial success in the state.
* His later life was marked by political disillusionment and declining health, underscoring the personal toll of a career in politics.
* His death marks the end of an era in Bengal politics, removing a figure who played a central role in the state’s political transformations over the past two decades.
* The reactions to his death, particularly from political rivals, may reveal underlying tensions and future political strategies in West Bengal.

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