Former Rajya Sabha MP and senior journalist Chandan Mitra passed away on Wednesday night in Delhi. He was 65 and had been ailing.
His son Kushan Mitra confirmed the death on Thursday morning. ‘Since it is already out there; Dad passed away late last night. He had been suffering for a while,’ he tweeted.
Mitra, who was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009, had resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party on July 18, 2018. He then joined the Trinamool Congress.
Soon as the news broke Tributes started pouring in one Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his Condolences
Shri Chandan Mitra Ji will be remembered for his intellect and insights. He distinguished himself in the world of media as well as politics. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2021
Shashi Tharoor, Senior Congress Leader
Deeply saddened by this news. Chandan was my campaign manager in my successful race to be President of the St Stephen’s College Union Society, served in my Cabinet & succeeded me. We remained in touch over the years, ironically till I returned to Delhi& politics separated us. RIP https://t.co/3jCtJqVzJk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 2, 2021
Swapan Dasgupta, Rajya Sabha MP
I lost my closest friend—editor of Pioneer & former MP Chandan Mitra—this morning. We were together as students of La Martiniere & went on to St Stephen’s & Oxford. We joined journalism at the same time & shared the excitement of Ayodhya & the saffron wave. 1/2
— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 2, 2021
I am posting a photograph of Chandan Mitra and me together during a school trip in 1972. Be happy my dear friend wherever you are. Om Shanti pic.twitter.com/58vMvU6Wa9
— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 2, 2021
Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor, India Today
The editor of Pioneer, former MP, @DrChandanMitra passes away. Was one of the first journalists to join the BJP in the Advani Vajpayee era. A very fine mind who remained a journalist at heart even when he shifted to the more bruising world of netagiri. RIP. Om Shanti. ?
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) September 2, 2021
Vir Sanghvi, Senior Journalist
Very sad to hear about the passing of Chandan Mitra.I knew him from my Calcutta days and hugely admired his talent, his ability to encourage young people and his basic decency as a human being pic.twitter.com/efndfhziiZ
— vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) September 2, 2021