Kolkata, May 13 -- West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday led the outpouring of grief following the demise of veteran sports administrator and former Mohun Bagan president Swapan Sadhan "Tutu" Bose, whose death marked the end of a significant chapter in Bengal football. Bose was 79 and reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest late Tuesday night after battling age-related ailments. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also expressed grief at Bose's demise.

Soon after taking oath in the Assembly, Adhikari visited the Mohun Bagan club tent at Kolkata's Maidan, where Bose's mortal remains were kept for public homage.

Offering floral tributes, he met members of the Bose family, including son and club official Srinjoy Bose, along with senior club administrators. Calling Bose's demise "an irreparable loss for Bengal and Indian football," Adhikari recalled his immense contribution to the sport and to the growth of Mohun Bagan as one of the country's most iconic clubs.

Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her condolences through a social media post, remembering Bose as an eminent sports organiser, former parliamentarian and a dedicated guardian of Mohun Bagan's legacy. She conveyed her sympathies to his family, friends, admirers and the larger sporting community.

Bose, popularly known as "Tutu Bose," remained one of the most influential figures in Bengal football for decades. Under his leadership, Mohun Bagan witnessed several memorable achievements and administrative milestones, strengthening its place in Indian football. Beyond football administration, Bose also had an active public life and maintained close ties with political and cultural

circles in Bengal.

Tributes poured in from across political and sporting circles. BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, former footballer Subrata Bhattacharya, Indian Cricket administrator and former cricketer Sourav Ganguly and several members of Kolkata's sporting fraternity remembered Bose for his leadership, vision and lasting contribution to Indian football. His death has left players, administrators and football lovers across the state in mourning.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.