Chandan Mitra passes away, PM Modi expresses grief

Chandan Mitra, a well known editor and a former parliamentarian, has passed away at the age of 65.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief over the demise of Mitra. He wrote on Twitter, "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."

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

His son, Kushan said that his father had been suffering for a while. "Since it is already out there; Dad passed away late last night. He had been suffering for a while," his son said in a tweet.

Since it is already out there; Dad passed away late last night. He had been suffering for a while.

— Kushan Mitra (@kushanmitra) September 2, 2021

The former Rajya Sabha MP was considered close to BJP leader L K Advani.

BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta posted a picture of Chandan Mitra and himself from a school trip in 1972 and wished for his friend to be happy wherever he was. "I lost my closest friend, editor of Pioneer and former MP Chandan Mitra, this morning. We were together as students of La Martiniere and went on to St Stephen's and Oxford. We joined journalism at the same time and shared the excitement of Ayodhya and the saffron wave," he said in a tweet.

"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," Dasgupta said.

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

Mitra, who was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009, had resigned from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on July 18, 2018. He then joined the All India Trinamool Congress.