West Bengal: Finance Minister Since 2011, Amit Mitra To Exit Due To Ill-Health

Finance Minister of West Bengal since 2011, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Amit Mitra is likely to step down from the coveted post due to health issues, reports The Indian Express.

Aged 74-years, Mitra is not a sitting MLA in the West Bengal Assembly as he did not contest the bygone elections. Thus, he can also not remain in his post for more than six months unless he contests and wins in a byelection.

It is likely that once Mitra leaves the post, Chief Minister (CM) Mamata Banerjee could keep the finance portfolio under her watch until she finds someone suitable to take charge as the next Finance Minister of the State Government.

Mitra had served as a part of Banerjee's decision-making team since 2009. And after that, when TMC came to power in the State for the first time, he was handed over the coveted post of Finance Minister.

Mitra has been a two-time MLA from Khardah constituency in the north 24 Parganas.

Along with the finance portfolio, Mitra has also held the industry portfolio since 2014.