Former Union Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kabindra Purkayastha passed away on January 7 due to age-related health complications. He was 94. His death marks the end of an important chapter in Assam politics, where he was known as one of the early leaders who helped build the BJP in the state.
Family members said that Purkayastha breathed his last at his residence, with close relatives by his side.
Kabindra Purkayastha served as a Member of Parliament and later as a Union Minister, playing a significant role in national politics while consistently raising issues concerning Assam. He was especially respected in the Barak Valley region, where he remained active in public life for several decades. 
Born in 1931, Kabindra Purkayastha began his political journey at a time when the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP was still establishing its presence in Assam. He was among the senior leaders who contributed to strengthening the party’s organisational base in the state, particularly in southern Assam.
Purkayastha was elected to the Lok Sabha and later inducted into the Union Council of Ministers, where he served as a Minister of State during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. Known for his disciplined political life and ideological commitment, he was regarded as a bridge between the party’s early generation and later leadership.
Throughout his career, he remained vocal on issues related to regional development, connectivity, and the socio-economic concerns of Assam. Even after stepping back from active electoral politics, he continued to guide party workers and remained a respected figure within political and social circles.
