Condolences poured in from across the Congress leadership on Thursday following the passing of senior party leader and former Union Minister Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury, who died at the age of 89 on April 8 in a Kolkata hospital due to age-related ailments.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed deep grief, calling Choudhury “a true statesman” who “devoted his life to public service and the ideals of our party.” In a post on X, Kharge said he “worked tirelessly for the people of West Bengal, especially in Malda, and upheld the values of inclusive growth, secularism, and social justice,” while extending heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and supporters.
Rahul Gandhi also paid tribute, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the loss. “He devoted his life to the people of Malda and West Bengal with quiet strength, humility, and unwavering commitment. His legacy of service will endure in the hearts of the people he represented,” he said, offering condolences to his son Isha Khan Choudhury, family members, and supporters.
Popularly known as Dalu Babu, Choudhury was a four-time Member of Parliament (MP) from Malda Dakshin and a key figure who sustained the Congress party’s influence in West Bengal’s Malda region. He also served as Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, contributing to national policymaking in the health sector.
The veteran leader carried forward the political legacy of his elder brother, the influential Congress stalwart A B A Ghani Khan Choudhury, and played a pivotal role in maintaining the party’s organisational strength in Malda over the years. Known for his understated yet effective leadership, he enjoyed deep grassroots connect and respect across party lines.
In recent years, Choudhury had stepped back from active electoral politics and did not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, passing the baton to his son Isha Khan Choudhury.
Leaders and workers across the state remembered him as a dedicated public servant and a steadfast advocate of the Congress party’s core values. His death marks the end of an era in Malda politics, where the Khan Choudhury family has long been synonymous with the Congress’s presence and influence.