New Delhi, Feb. 23 -- Veteran West Bengal politician and former Union Railway Minister Mukul Roy died in Kolkata in the early hours of Monday, according to family members and local reports. He was 71. Once regarded as one of the most influential strategists in the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC), Roy's long political career spanned shifting allegiances, ministerial office and a protracted legal battle over defection.

His son, Shuvrangshu Roy, confirmed that he breathed his last at a private hospital in Salt Lake around 1:30 a.m., as reported by The Indian Express.

Roy had largely withdrawn from active politics in recent years as his health deteriorated. Doctors confirmed in early 2023 that he had been battling dementia and Parkinson'...