Kolkata, 15 May (H.S.): Tapas Saha, the Trinamool Congress MLA from Tehatta constituency in Nadia district, passed away on Thursday morning at the age of 66. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed deep sorrow over his untimely demise, calling it an irreparable loss to Bengal’s political landscape.
Taking to social media, the Chief Minister wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Tapas Saha, MLA from Tehatta in Nadia and a significant member of the Trinamool Congress family. He was a long-time associate of mine. His passing is an irreparable loss not just for the district but for the entire political arena of Bengal. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and countless supporters.”
According to sources, Saha was admitted to a private hospital near EM Bypass in Kolkata on Tuesday after suffering a brain hemorrhage. Despite medical efforts, he breathed his last on Thursday morning.
Tapas Saha had a political journey marked by struggles and persistence. Known as a close aide of Mamata Banerjee since the early days of the party, Saha had sought a TMC ticket in 2011 but was overlooked in favor of Gourishankar Dutta. In protest, he contested as an independent candidate, which led to his suspension from the party. He was later reinstated and took up key organizational roles.
He was first elected as an MLA in 2016 from the Palashipara seat on a TMC ticket and again won the 2021 election from Tehatta. However, in recent years, his name surfaced in connection with an alleged recruitment scam, and a central investigative agency had initiated a probe, including the emergence of alleged audio clips.
TMC MLA Rukbanur Rahman informed that the date and arrangements for Saha’s last rites would be decided in consultation with his family and party leadership. Several senior leaders from Nadia are en route to Kolkata.
It is noteworthy that Tehatta falls under the Krishnanagar Lok Sabha constituency. Earlier this February, Nasiruddin Ahmed, the MLA from Kaliganj, which is also under the same parliamentary seat, had passed away. With the demise of both MLAs, by-elections for these two seats are now inevitable.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
