Overview
- He died on Wednesday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital after treatment since December 23 for age-related kidney and cardiac complications, with days on ventilator support.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led condolences, praising his lifelong public service and organizational leadership.
- The Assam BJP cancelled Thursday’s party programmes and directed flags at the state office to fly at half-mast as a mark of respect.
- A three-time Lok Sabha MP from Silchar, he served as Minister of State for Communications in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government during 1998–99.
- He is survived by his son, Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha, and a daughter; Assam University conferred an honorary doctorate on him in 2024.