Mukul Roy, a prominent political figure in India and former Union Railway Minister, died on Monday at the age of 71 due to a heart attack. He was pronounced dead early in the morning at the Apollo Hospital in Salt Lake, Kolkata, where he had been admitted for the past 600 days. His son, Subhranshu Roy, confirmed the news, describing the loss as immense for their family. Roy’s political career was deeply intertwined with the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a party he helped establish alongside Mamata Banerjee, further underscoring his significance in West Bengal's political landscape.

Born on May 14, 1954, in North 24 Parganas, Roy had a background in trade union activities before fully immersing himself in politics. He completed his bachelor’s degree in science from Calcutta University and later earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Madurai Kamaraj University in 2006. As one of the founding members of the TMC, established in January 1998, Roy was known for his close relationship with Banerjee, playing a crucial role in the party's development and its influence in state politics.

Roy's political journey began with the Youth Congress and later transitioned to the TMC, where he earned recognition as one of the key leaders next to Mamata Banerjee. His passing marks a significant moment in Indian politics, particularly for the TMC, as it loses one of its instrumental founding figures. The implications of his death may resonate within his party and the political structure of West Bengal, as they reckon with the future of leadership and direction following his contributions to the political arena.