Congress leader Digendra Purkayastha passes away

From our Special Correspondent

Silchar, Aug 6: Two time MLA Digendra Chandra Purkayastha, a dedicated Congress leader and also an advocate, expired this morning at 5:50 am at his Kakpur residence. He was 80 and leaves behind two sons and a daughter, besides a number of kith and kin as well as innumerable admirers. His wife expired 12 years ago.  During Janta Dal period, he was the president of AAJP Silchar unit and also vice-president AAJP state committee. Later on, he returned to Congress to become vice-president Silchar District Congress Committee and vice-president Assam Pradesh Congress Committee. He was also the vice-president of Assam Pradesh Congress (SC Cell), vice-president BVPP central committee, member AICC election committee and also advisor and member of various organizations.

 Known for his simplicity and humbleness, Digendra Chandra Purkayastha was popular among the people and the workers of the party. He was elected from Dholai constituency of Cachar in 1972 and again in 1985. Digendra Chandra Purkayastha was not only active but also vocal in and outside the Assembly and never missed to raise any issue concerning the interests of his constituency in particular. Digendra Chandra Purkayastha was known for his honesty and integrity and that endeared him to the masses.  Congress leaders and workers paid their floral tributes to him when his mortal remains were brought to the Indira Bhawan, the party headquarters. Parimal Suklabaidya, Minister of PWD, Excise and Fisheries, Girindra Mullick, former MLA, went to his residence and paid their glowing tributes. Karnendu Bhattacharjee, ex MP and a frontline Congress leader, Pradip Kumar Dey, president, Silchar District Congress Committee, were among the dignitaries who paid their homage to him by placing wreaths on his body. Different organizations, social, cultural and literary, as well as NGOs joined his funeral procession along with other mourners. From Indira Bhawan, he was taken to the cremation ground of this town where his mortal remains were consigned to the flames