Assam BJP Patriarch Kabindra Purkayastha Passes Away

Kabindra Purkayastha, regarded as one of the patriarchs of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam, passed away on Wednesday evening at around 5:00 pm. He breathed his last at Silchar Medical College and Hospital.

A senior leader of the party and a former Union Minister in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led government, Purkayastha played a crucial role in laying the foundations of the BJP in Assam and the Northeast. Before entering politics, he had served as a teacher, a profession that shaped his values of discipline, service and commitment to society.

His demise has cast a pall of gloom across political circles and beyond. Soon after the news broke, leaders, party workers and well-wishers began gathering at Silchar Medical College to pay their last respects to the veteran leader.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Purkayastha and paid rich tribute to his life and legacy. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sarma described him as an “institution in himself” and an inspiration for generations of party workers.

Calling him a “prolific intellectual” and a “committed karyakarta,” the Chief Minister said that Purkayastha was instrumental in building the BJP in the region and transforming it into Assam’s preferred political party. He recalled Purkayastha’s journey from the lanes of Silchar to the corridors of Parliament, highlighting his consistent focus on people’s issues and his efforts to champion the cause of Assam and the Northeast at various forums.

“For us karyakartas, he was not only a people’s representative but also a mentor, an elder, a reassuring presence who showed that politics is about values, simplicity, service and above all taking care of each other as family members,” Sarma wrote.

Deeply pained by the passing away of veteran leader, former Union Minister and an inspiration for us all, Shriman Kabindra Purkayastha.

A prolific intellectual, a committed karyakarta - he was an institution in himself, someone who laid the foundation of the Bharatiya Janata… pic.twitter.com/lbq2eW6TyO

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 7, 2026

The Chief Minister further noted that Purkayastha’s legacy cannot be measured merely by the offices he held, but by the values he lived by. From assisting displaced Hindu refugees to contributing to Assam’s development, his life, Sarma said, was dedicated to public welfare and the spirit of service.

Describing his passing as a void that can never be filled, Sarma said he would always cherish his long association with the veteran leader and the lessons he learnt from him over the years. On behalf of the people of Assam, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to Purkayastha’s son Kanad Purkayastha, the bereaved family, and his admirers.

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