Overview
- Hospital authorities confirmed he died Wednesday at Silchar Medical College and Hospital after treatment since December 23 for age-related, kidney and cardiac complications, with days on ventilator support.
- Reports differ on his age at death, with outlets citing either 94 or 95.
- Condolences came from across the political spectrum, including messages from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and senior BJP leaders.
- The Assam BJP cancelled all scheduled programmes for January 8 and ordered the party flag at the state office to be flown at half-mast.
- A former Union Minister of State for Communications in 1998–99, he won Lok Sabha seats in 1991, 1998 and 2009, and is survived by his son, Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha, and other family members.