Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha paid his last respects to veteran politician and seven-time MLA Surajit Datta at the Secretariat in Agartala on Thursday.

Datta, a former Minister and seven-time MLA, had been grappling with various health issues, particularly kidney complications. He had been undergoing dialysis for the past few years.

Datta, a two-time BJP MLA from Ramnagar Assembly Constituency, faced a critical downturn in his health two days ago. He was initially admitted to a hospital in Agartala, where Dr Saha met him to inquire about his health condition. However, he was later referred to AMRI Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon, and at 11:00 pm, he succumbed to his ailments.

 On Thursday, his mortal remains were brought to the Secretariat, where Dr Saha paid his floral tribute.

 Later, Dr Saha said, “Surajit Datta was a leader of the people. We always called him Sunu Da. He was a seven-time legislator from Ramanagar. The entire Tripura is aware of how he used to help people, which was his nature. I have never seen such a leader in Tripura before. He also served as a minister. He was also an MLA for BJP two times. When he was admitted to ILS Hospital, I went there and met him. For a long time, he was suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD). But when I met him, he said, 'Don’t worry, I will not die.' Then for better treatment, we sent him to Kolkata, but ultimately, he was no more. A shadow of deep grief descends over the state. Nobody will fulfill this gap. I have a good relationship with his family as well. His demise is an irreparable loss in the state's political arena. May the departed soul find eternal peace! My deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.”

As a mark of respect to him, the state government has announced a one-day state mourning on Thursday.