Tamonash Ghosh, a 60-year-old MLA of the Trinamool Congress, died of complications from COVID-19 at a hospital in Kolkata on Wednesday morning. Ghosh had tested positive for COVID-19 last month.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee paid tribute to Ghosh on Twitter. Banerjee wrote, “Very, very sad. Tamonash Ghosh, 3-time MLA from Falta & party treasurer since 1998 had to leave us today. Been with us for over 35 years, he was dedicated to the cause of the people & party. He contributed much through his social work. … He has left a void that will be difficult to fill. On behalf of all of us, heartfelt condolences to his wife Jharna, his two daughters, friends and well wishers.”
West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar expressed grief over the death of Ghosh. He wrote on Twitter, “Sad at the demise of 3-time Falta MLA Tamonash Ghosh. He was an experienced leader with promising prospects in times to come…”
The death of Ghosh comes as West Bengal reels under the COVID-19 pandemic. Banerjee has called for an all-party meeting on Wednesday afternoon at the state secretariat to discuss the COVID-19 situation.
As of Tuesday, West Bengal had reported 14,728 cases of COVID-19, with the death toll being 580.
Two weeks ago, a senior MLA of the opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu, J. Anbazhagan, died of COVID-19.