4 months ago
1
GUWAHATI
Former Union Minister Kabindra Purkayastha, who helped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) onslaught roots successful Assam successful the 1980s, died connected Wednesday (January 7, 2026) owed to age-related ailments. He was 94.
He is survived by his lad Kanad Purkayastha, a Rajya Sabha member, and a daughter. His woman predeceased him.
“Kabindra Purkayastha was hospitalised a fewer days ago. He was kept connected ventilation,” a Silchar Medical College and Hospital spokesperson said, confirming his death.
A three-time MP from confederate Assam’s Silchar constituency, the precocious Purkayastha served arsenic a Minister successful the archetypal Atal Bihari Vajpayee authorities successful 1998-99.
He retired from electoral engagements successful 2014, but continued to beryllium progressive successful political, educational, and societal activities. In 2024, the Silchar-based Assam University conferred an honorary doctorate connected him successful designation of his beingness and achievements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the death.
“Pained by the passing of erstwhile MP and Union Minister Shri Kabindra Purkayastha Ji. His committedness to serving nine and his publication towards Assam’s advancement volition ever beryllium remembered. He played a captious relation successful strengthening the BJP crossed the state. My thoughts are with his household and admirers successful this bittersweet hour. Om Shanti,” Mr. Modi posted connected societal media level X.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the precocious Purkayastha was an instauration successful himself, having laid the instauration of the BJP successful the portion and helping it turn arsenic Assam’s preferred governmental party.
“For america karyakartas (workers), helium was not lone a people’s typical but besides a mentor, an elder, a reassuring beingness who showed that authorities is astir values, simplicity, service, and supra each taking attraction of each different arsenic household members,” Mr. Sarma said.
“His legacy, though, cannot beryllium measured simply by the offices oregon positions helium held, but by however helium ever espoused seva bhav (spirit of service) done his actions. From helping displaced Hindu refugees to assisting Assam’s maturation aspirations, his beingness was dedicated to the radical and their welfare,” Mr. Sarma said.
