People, Positions and Obituaries · 9 January 2026

Kabindra Purkayastha passes away at 95; former Union Minister and BJP stalwart.

Exam-focused facts from the 9 January 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

  • Kabindra Purkayastha, former Union Minister and veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, died at Silchar Medical College and Hospital after prolonged illness.
  • He joined BJP in 1980 and led the party to its first-ever Lok Sabha seats from Assam in 1991.
  • Born in Kamarkhal village, now in Bangladesh’s Sunamganj district, he migrated to Silchar post-Partition.
  • He is survived by son Kanad Purkayastha, Rajya Sabha MP, a daughter, and grandchildren.

View this story in the full daily briefing

Earlier coverage selected by topic similarity to help connect developments over time.

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