Surajit Datta, also known as ‘Sunu Da,’ had been ailing for an extended period. He was admitted to a private hospital in Agartala on Tuesday and was later shifted to a hospital in Kolkata, where he succumbed to his illness on Wednesday night.
Datta had a long-standing political career, initially serving as a cabinet minister during the Congress-led coalition government from 1988 to 1993. He represented the Ramnagar constituency as a legislator since 1988 on a Congress ticket, briefly losing in 2013 to the Communist Party of India. Datta joined the BJP before the 2018 polls and secured victories in subsequent elections.
Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha expressed his deep condolences over Surajit Datta’s demise, acknowledging the significant loss in Tripura’s political arena. As a mark of respect, the government of Tripura declared one-day state mourning on Thursday.
Surajit Datta’s political journey included not only his service as a legislator but also his role as a cabinet minister, contributing to the state’s governance. His shift to the BJP and subsequent electoral victories highlighted his continued influence in Tripura politics.