BJP MLA from Dhupguri Bishnu Pada Ray dies, PM Modi, Mamata condole his death

“Pained by the untimely demise of West Bengal Assembly MLA Shri Bishnu Pada Ray Ji. He was a hardworking legislator who made many efforts to fulfil people’s aspirations. He also worked hard to strengthen @BJP4Bengal. Condolences to his family and supporters…” Prime minister Modi tweeted on Tuesday.

According to BJP leaders, Ray arrived in Kolkata on Sunday to attend the monsoon session of the West Bengal Assembly but had to be admitted to SSKM hospital after he complained of uneasiness and chest pain. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief over his death and said his death has left a “void in the legislative politics of Bengal”.

Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly and BJP MLA from Nandiram Suvendu Adhikari tweeted: “I am extremely saddened to know about the sad & untimely demise of my colleague and MLA from Dhupguri, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray. He was admitted in the PG hospital a day before yesterday because of heart ailment. On behalf of @BJP4Bengal Legislature Party, I express my deepest condolences to his family & friends.”

However, the BJP leadership claimed that the state-run hospital where Ray was admitted did not take care of him. “He was in the ICU. Last night, he was shivering in the cold and was not even given a blanket. When his family members protested, the hospital later gave him a blanket. Last night, the doctors wanted him to undergo a test, which was scheduled to take place at the Woodburn ward some distance away from the building where he was kept. His family members had to push his stretcher themselves, since no help was available. I would rethink recommending my near and dear ones this hospital,” said BJP MLA from Siliguri Shankar Ghosh while speaking to media persons outside the hospital where Ray died.

However, SSKM authorities remained tightlipped about the issue. Ray’s body was later brought to the BJP state headquarters at Muralidhar Sen Lane in Kolkata where party leaders and workers paid their last respects. His mortal remains were brought to the Assembly. Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay, leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari, TMC chief whip Nirmal Ghosh, state minister Shashi Panja and ISF MLA Nawsad Siddique were among those who offered floral tributes.