Bengal Minister Subrata Mukherjee passes away; Mamata Banerjee says, 'a big blow'

Kolkata : Senior Trinamool Congress leader Subrata Mukherjee on Thursday passed away while getting treatment for cardiac ailments in a state-run hospital in Kolkata.

Mukherjee, who was the state panchayat minister, was 75. He is survived by his wife. Mukherjee was also in charge of three other departments.

The veteran politician who underwent angioplasty early this week, died at 9.22 PM after suffering a massive cardiac arrest, state minister Firhad Hakim said.

CM Mamata Banerjee rushed to the hospital soon after hearing the news and there declared officially that he is no more.

"I still can't believe he is no longer with us. He was such a dedicated party leader. It is a personal loss for me," she said.

His body will be taken to Rabindra Sadan, a government-owned auditorium, on Friday for the people to pay their last respect. From there, it will be taken to his Ballygunge home and then to his ancestral home, Ms Banerjee added.

He was admitted to the hospital on October 24 after complaints of breathing issues. He had been suffering from high blood sugar, CoPD and other age-related ailments.