Kolkata, Oct. 25 -- Eminent painter Jogen Chowdhury died after a long battle with blood cancer at a private hospital in Kolkata on Sunday morning, hospital authorities said.

Chowdhury, a former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member, was 87.

Chowdhury had been undergoing chemotherapy for around 18 months. He was recently admitted to the hospital with a urinary tract infection and had to be put on ventilator support.

Expressing his condolences, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said, "I wish immortality for his soul. His works are displayed at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He will inspire several generations of artists."

Noted writer Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay, an old friend and neighbour of the painter, said, "Jogen was an open-hearted person. Hi...