Kolkata: Former Bengal minister Ujjal Biswas died at a private hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday. He was 72.In hospital for more than a week, he suffered from multiple organ failure triggered by a post-bypass surgery stroke, pneumonia, a urinary tract infection and septic shock.Biswas was a three-time MLA representing the Krishnanagar South constituency in Nadia. In 2011, he stepped into the state cabinet as technical education and training minister. He later served as minister for correctional administration until 2022, before taking charge of science, technology and biotechnology. In the 2026 assembly elections, he lost his seat to BJP candidate Sadhan Ghosh.After his election defeat, Biswas faced legal troubles when authorities seized relief materials stored at his Kathuria Para residence in Krishnanagar, leading to his arrest in a relief scam case. He spent 30 days in custody, followed by 49 days under conditional bail in a separate case.Diagnosed with triple-vessel heart blockage in Sept, Biswas underwent bypass surgery on Oct 5. His condition deteriorated further during Durga Puja, requiring readmission and ongoing dialysis for renal failure.
