The death of Mukul Roy, a veteran Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader, has ignited a political firestorm between the TMC and the BJP, with accusations and counter-allegations flying thick and fast. As tributes pour in from across party lines, the political landscape is abuzz with speculation and finger-pointing.
Roy's passing, which occurred at a private hospital in Kolkata around 1:30 am on Monday, has left a void in Bengali politics. He was widely regarded as the 'Chanakya' of Bengal politics, known for his strategic acumen and long-standing dedication to the TMC. His family revealed that he had been battling a prolonged illness, spending around 600 days in the hospital in his final phase.
The political dust-up began when Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim (Bobby) accused the BJP of bearing responsibility for Roy's death, claiming it caused him severe mental stress. Hakim, emotional and distraught, stated, 'I have lost my elder brother (Dada) today. The BJP is solely responsible for his untimely death. He was murdered by the BJP. They threatened him to join their ranks, and he faced tremendous pressure from them, including from central agencies.'
However, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh fired back with counter-allegations against the TMC. Ghosh pointed out that Roy had won the last election on a BJP ticket and was made the BJP's Rashtriya Upadhyaksh. He argued that Roy's return to the TMC was due to pressure from the TMC, not a personal choice. Ghosh stated, 'Mukul Roy won the last election on a BJP ticket. He was made BJP's Rashtriya Upadhyaksh. Because of TMC's pressure, he had to rejoin the TMC. Since then, for the past four years, he had no relation with us. The TMC took him back and killed him. How can the BJP be responsible for his death today?'
BJP leader Shatarupa Ghosh added, 'It is undeniable that Mukul Roy shaped the Trinamool Congress Party. Mukul da was with us for a considerable time in the BJP. We were all shocked to see him going back to the TMC after 2021. Thereafter, we had no connection with him. Till then, his health was failing. I don't understand where the BJP fits in to killing him. TMC senior ministers should not politicise Mukul Roy's death.'
The Congress state chief Subhankar Sarkar chimed in, 'There is a chronology that the BJP has a washing machine. We don't know what Firhad Hakim has said. It is the BJP's old trend: if anyone speaks against them, they pressurise him. But today, we should remember the colourful politician Mukul Roy.'
The political fallout from Roy's death extends beyond the BJP-TMC feud. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, stating, 'Saddened by the demise of former Union Minister Shri Mukul Roy Ji. His political experience and social service efforts will be remembered. My condolences to his family and supporters. Om Shanti.'
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a close political ally of Roy, wrote, 'I am saddened and shocked by the news of the sudden demise of veteran politician Mukul Roy. He was my long-time political colleague, a fellow fighter in many political struggles. The news of his passing has left me heartbroken. Mukul Roy has sacrificed his life for the Trinamool Congress since its inception. He became a Union Minister and was accepted by all levels of the party. Later, he went on a different path and came back again. His contribution and organisational skills in Bengal politics should not be forgotten. His absence will be felt by the political circles irrespective of party affiliation.'
TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee paid his respects to the party veteran at the assembly and accompanied Roy's son and family to the last rites in Halishahar.
