Former Minister and senior BJP leader Surajit Datta has been hospitalised after falling critically ill at his residence in December 26. Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, Leader of the Opposition Animesh Debbarma, and Union MoS Pratima Bhoumik visited him at the private hospital he was admitted. Mr. Datta, a former state Congress President who joined the BJP in 2018, has won all elections from his home turf of Ramnagar since 1988. He also served as a Cabinet Minister in the Congress-led coalition government between 1988 and 1993. Family members have stated that doctors have advised them to take him to Kolkata or Delhi for better treatment.