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Agartala : Senior BJP MLA Surajit Datta, aged 70, breathed his last on Wednesday night at a Kolkata hospital after battling a prolonged illness. The Ramnagar legislator, who had been admitted to an Agartala hospital on Tuesday due to breathlessness, succumbed to multiple diseases during his transfer to Kolkata for advanced treatment.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha took to Facebook to express his sorrow, stating, “I am saddened and pained by the death of senior politician and sitting BJP MLA Surajit Dutta during treatment in a hospital outside the state.” Describing the loss as irreplaceable, Saha extended condolences to the grieving family and declared a one-day state mourning on Thursday as a mark of respect.
Known affectionately as ‘Sunu Da,’ Surajit Datta had a noteworthy political career. Serving as a cabinet minister in the Congress-led coalition government from 1988 to 1993, he represented the Ramnagar constituency since 1988, initially on a Congress ticket. Datta, recognized for his staunch opposition to the Left, later switched to the Trinamool Congress before joining the BJP just before the 2018 Assembly elections.
With the demise of Surajit Datta, the BJP’s representation in the 60-member Assembly has decreased to 32. His contributions to Tripura politics, both as a state president of the Congress and later as a prominent BJP leader, mark the end of an era.
The Tripura government’s announcement of a one-day state mourning underscores the significance of Datta’s contributions. The political fraternity and citizens mourn the loss of a seasoned leader, remembering ‘Sunu Da’ for his dedication and impact on the political landscape.
