Bengal Deputy Speaker Sukumar Hansda dies of cancer

Kolkata: Dr Sukumar Hansda, Deputy Speaker of West Bengal Legislative Assembly and Trinamool Congress MLA from Jhargram constituency died due to prostate cancer at a private hospital in Kolkata on Thursday.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled the death of 66-year-old Hansda who was doctor by profession and elected twice as an MLA from Jhargram Assembly constituency.

Expressing her grief over the passing away of the veteran politician from Jangalmahal, Banerjee tweeted: "Deeply grieved to hear about the passing away of WB Assembly Dy Speaker & Jhargram MLA Shri Sukumar Hansda. He was also serving as AITC State Vice President. His relentless service for people shall always be remembered. My condolences to his family & followers."

According to the state administration, Hansda was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the beginning of this year. Initially he underwent treatment at SSKM Hospital and he was shifted to the private hospital a few months ago. He breathed his last on Thursday morning.

Hansda served as Paschimanchl Unnayan Minister in the first five year term of the Trinamool Congress government from 2011 to 2016. He was re-elected in the 2016 Assembly election from Jhargram Assembly constituency, but he was no more in the cabinet in the second term of the government. He took over the responsibility of Deputy Speaker in December 2018 as the post fell vacant with the demise of Haider Aziz Safwi. It may be mentioned that in between 1957-62 Hansda's father, Subodh Chandra Hansda, was a Union minister.

In her condolence message, Banerjee mentioned Hansda's relentless fight and movement for development of people from tribal communities.

Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee expressed his grief at the passing away of Hansda.

Hansda's last remains will be first taken to Raj Bhavan where he used to stay. All arrangements have been kept ready at the state Assembly to pay respect to Hansda.

On Thursday itself his mortal remains will be taken to Jhargram where the last rites will be performed amidst gun salute. The district administration is also making necessary arrangements keeping in mind the present Covid.

As a mark of mourning and tribute to the departed soul of Hansda, flags will be in half mast position on all government offices throughout the state.

Congress leader Abhijit Mukherjee tweeted: "Deeply shocked at the sudden demise of Dr Sukumar Hansda , MLA ! I had a personal connect with him & he played a proactive role in the Development of Nalhati Assembly area! My condolences to the bereaved family ! May the noble soul rest in peace."

Hansda continued his fight against BJP till his last breath as even on October 17 he tweeted to take a dig at the party in power at the Cenre by citing an example of a rare surgery to save a girl child. He had tweeted: "Five loops of cord inside womb but still daughter is safe ...it's just the outside world which is unsafe !!! #BJPHataoBetiBachao."