The Assam government has declared a one-day public holiday in Cachar district as a mark of respect following the demise of former Union Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kabindra Purkayastha.
According to official sources, the holiday has been announced to allow people to pay their last respects to the senior leader, who passed away at the age of 94 due to age-related ailments. The decision reflects the State’s recognition of Purkayastha’s long association with public life and his contributions to both Assam and the country.
Kabindra Purkayastha was a prominent political figure from Barak Valley and represented the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency on multiple occasions. He served as Minister of State for Communications in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led National Democratic Alliance government between 1998 and 1999. Over the decades, he played a significant role in shaping the political discourse of the region.
The Chief Minister’s Office, in a statement, said the holiday was declared to honour the former Union Minister’s service and to enable citizens to participate in tributes and last rites. As a mark of respect, the Assam BJP has also suspended its organisational activities in the district for the day.
Purkayastha is survived by his son Kanad Purkayastha, a Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament from Assam, and other family members. Political leaders across party lines have expressed condolences, remembering him as a seasoned parliamentarian and a leader deeply connected to the people of Barak Valley.
The State government’s gesture has been widely seen as an acknowledgement of Kabindra Purkayastha’s enduring legacy in Assam’s political history.
- Log in to post comments
