Overview
- The former Minister of State for Communications (1998–1999) died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital, where he had been under treatment since December 23 with kidney and cardiac complications and required ventilator support.
- SMCH principal Bhaskar Gupta said he died following multiple complications, with local reports citing 5:05 pm as the time of death.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma led tributes, praising his decades of work in building the BJP in Assam and the Northeast.
- The BJP’s Assam unit canceled all programmes for January 8 and directed the party flag at the state office to fly at half-mast.
- Reports differ on his age at death, with figures of 95 and 94 published, and he is survived by his son and Rajya Sabha MP Kanad Purkayastha, a daughter and grandchildren.