Mitra, 66, was suffering for some time, his son Kushan Mitra tweeted on Thursday announcing his father’s demise.
Chandan Mitra was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from August 2003 to 2009. In June 2010, the BJP got him elected to Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh. His term ended in 2016. In 2018, he joined the Trinamool Congress.
Chandan Mitra, considered to be close to BJP veteran L K Advani, was the editor and managing director of The Pioneer.
Former Rajya Sabha MP and journalist Chandan Mitra passed away on Wednesday night, his son Kushan Mitra has told the news agency. Kushan Mitra tweeted on Thursday morning, “Since it is already out, Dad passed away late last night. He was suffering for some time.” Chandan Mitra was 66 years old.
PM Modi tweeted, “Shri Chandan Mitra ji will be remembered for his wisdom and insight. He distinguished himself in the world of media and politics. Saddened by his passing. Condolences to his family and fans. Om Shanti ,” PM Modi tweeted.
Shri Chandan Mitra Ji will be remembered for his intellect and insights. He distinguished himself in the world of media as well as politics. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 2, 2021
Chandan Mitra will be remembered for his wisdom and insight, PM Modi pays tribute
Condoling the death of Chandan Mitra, Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta took to Twitter and said that he has lost his closest friend. Posting a photo from a school trip in 1972, Dasgupta wrote, “This morning I lost one of my closest friends – pioneer editor and former MP Chandan Mitra. We were together as students at La Martiniere and St. Stephens And went to Oxford. Also shared the enthusiasm and saffron wave of journalism and Ayodhya.”
I lost my closest friend—editor of Pioneer & former MP Chandan Mitra—this morning. We were together as students of La Martiniere & went on to St Stephen’s & Oxford. We joined journalism at the same time & shared the excitement of Ayodhya & the saffron wave. 1/2
— Swapan Dasgupta (@swapan55) September 2, 2021
Chandan Mitra started his political career in 2003 when he was nominated as a Rajya Sabha member. In 2010, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha for another term as a BJP MP from Madhya Pradesh. In 2018, he joined the All India Trinamool Congress.
Chandan Mitra went to La Martuinuere School in Calcutta and then studied at St Stephen’s in Delhi. From there he went to Oxford University for his higher education.
In his illustrious journalism career, he worked with The Statesman, The Times of India, The Sunday Observer, The Hindustan Times before joining The Pioneer.
As tributes started pouring in for Chandan Mitra, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor remembered his campaign manager for the St Stephen’s College Union Society election. “Deeply saddened by this news. Chandan was my campaign manager in my successful race to become president of St. Stephen’s College Union Society, served in my cabinet, and I was successful. We stayed in touch for years, ironically when Till I didn’t come back to Delhi and politics. Took us apart. RIP,” Tharoor tweeted.
Deeply saddened by this news. Chandan was my campaign manager in my successful race to be President of the St Stephen’s College Union Society, served in my Cabinet & succeeded me. We remained in touch over the years, ironically till I returned to Delhi& politics separated us. RIP https://t.co/3jCtJqVzJk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 2, 2021